Officials Advocated for Massachusetts Question 9

Panelists discussed the impact of state gun laws at a recent event in Lowell.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a classic capitol dome, rendered in navy and cream to evoke the gravity of state legislative policy. — Massachusetts state officials are campaigning for Question 9, a ballot initiative aimed at upholding the state's 2024 firearms legislation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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State officials and advocates gathered at UTEC to support the passage of Question 9, a ballot initiative tied to the 2024 state firearms law. The law, which faces 12 legal challenges, remains a point of contention regarding its impact on community safety.

Why it matters

The outcome of Question 9 will determine whether the 2024 law remains in effect or if state gun regulations revert to previous standards. Supporters view the measures as vital for reducing gun violence, while opponents argue the rules place an unfair burden on legal owners.

The 2024 law, which is currently subject to 12 legal challenges, bans those under 21 from owning semiautomatic rifles and requires firearm serialization. A new firearms data dashboard, maintained by the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, monitors demographic trends and license counts.

The players

Maura Healey

She serves as the Governor of Massachusetts and signed the 2024 firearms law.

UTEC

This Lowell-based organization focuses on supporting youth and community safety initiatives.

Gregg Croteau

He is a long-standing member of the UTEC leadership team who has been with the organization since 2000.

Makayla Rivera

She is an advocate who has publicly shared her experience of losing a sibling to gun violence.

The details

The 2024 law bans devices that convert semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic ones and authorizes the state to order the surrender of firearms and ammunition. Possession of certain weapon parts is also classified as unlawful under specific conditions established by the legislation.

Gregg Croteau joined UTEC in 2000.
Makayla Rivera lost her sister to gun violence in 2023.
The State Legislature passed the firearms law in 2024.
Officials held a panel discussion at UTEC on October 13, 2026.

Political Context

Opposition groups argue the law mandates restrictive registration and unfairly burdens law-abiding citizens. These critics emphasize that the legal mandates, including the serialization of firearms, infringe upon the rights of gun owners across the state.

If Question 9 passes, the 2024 firearms law will be cemented into state policy, requiring owners to comply with new serialization and age-restriction rules. A failure of the measure would revert state gun laws to the status quo that existed prior to the 2024 legislative session.

The takeaway

Voters will decide the future of state gun regulations in the upcoming general election. Those interested in the specific impacts of the law can consult the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services dashboard for current data on firearm trends.