Gun Law Overhaul Among Bills Awaiting Mass. Governor's Signature
BOSTON (AP) – Gov. Deval Patrick has a handful of bills on his desk awaiting his signature, including a proposed overhaul of Massachusetts' gun laws.
The bill would give police chiefs the right to go to court to try to deny firearms identification cards to individuals they feel are unsuitable.
The bill also would also create a Web-based portal to allow real-time background checks for private gun sales, stiffen penalties for some gun-based crimes and create a state police firearms trafficking unit.
The bill would also mandate Massachusetts join the National Instant Background Check System, which requires the state to transmit information about substance abuse or mental health commitments to a federal database used by police to review firearms applications.
Patrick has until Thursday to sign or veto the bill.
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