Letter requesting that the Governor Rethink her stand and voluntarily remove the Emergency Preamble that she put in place 71 days after the laws signing.
The Honorable Maura Healey
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02133
October 23, 2024
Dear Governor Healey,
We respectfully urge you to reconsider and voluntarily rescind the Emergency Preamble you issued for Chapter 135, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws (H4885). The Preamble has created an unnecessary barrier to the democratic process, preventing citizens from exercising their constitutional right to the full referendum process. This decision undermines the public’s trust and has disenfranchised over 95,000 voters in MA.
The Emergency Preamble was signed 71 days after you enacted the law, a time frame far removed from any imminent or unforeseen crisis. Within 24 hours of issuing the Preamble, your own Executive Office of Public Safety delayed and suspended another portion of the law, further proving there was no real emergency. These actions cast serious doubt on the necessity for invoking the Emergency Preamble, which blocked the suspension that should have occurred today, after our 50,000 certified signatures was submitted to the Secy of State!
The overwhelming majority of the provisions in H4885 are regulatory. They impose new licensing and training requirements, registration burdens, and restrictions that affect only law-abiding citizens—while doing little to deter or prevent the actions of criminals who will not obey these regulations. This is not the kind of legislation that demands immediate enforcement. Public safety has not hinged on the swift implementation of these measures, as evidenced by the multiple delays already issued by the Executive Office of Public Safety.
The preamble effectively nullifies the suspension clause of the referendum process—a constitutional safeguard that allows for a needed pause and review of controversial laws. By invoking it in this case, the executive branch has overstepped, stripping citizens of their ability to weigh in on laws that directly impact their civil rights.
We believe that ensuring public safety requires working together to find real, practical solutions that address the root causes of violent crime. Effective public safety cannot be achieved by imposing unnecessary restrictions on law-abiding citizens or infringing on their rights. By suspending and re-evaluating the current law, we can engage in open dialogue and develop real, tangible solutions that balance safety with civil liberties. Let’s work together to create safer streets, safer schools and a more united community.
Moreover, by reversing the Emergency Preamble, you would save taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in imminent litigation fees. This gesture would not only avoid unnecessary legal battles but also shift the focus to a meaningful, public, and factual debate about the issues at hand—something the people of Massachusetts deserve.
We ask that you take this opportunity to correct the course. Rescinding the Emergency Preamble would restore confidence in the democratic process and show that even in contentious times, the voice of the people matters.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration.
Respectfully,
Toby Leary – Chairman
The Civil Rights Coalition
