Massachusetts and Idaho put guns on the ballot. One seeks to restrict them, the other to honor them
On his way to an elk hunt, Neill Goodfellow in Idaho contemplated a question that will be on his November ballot: which of six historic firearms to choose as the official state gun. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, voters are considering a different ballot issue - whether to uphold a 2024 law that requires all firearms to be serialized and registered with the state, expanding a ban on "assault-style" guns.
These two states, nearly 2,000 miles apart, represent contrasting positions in America's gun debate. The November election will not resolve the tension between firearm freedoms and restrictions, but the ballot questions will offer insight into public opinion. If Massachusetts voters approve Question 9, it will continue a series of gun restrictions passed by the Democratic-led Legislature, despite a petition forcing a referendum.
The question is being placed on the ballot due to opponents gathering enough signatures. In Boise, Idaho, a Republican-led Legislature put a nonbinding question on the ballot, asking voters if they want the state to designate a "gun of Idaho." Roughly 3 out of 5 Idaho adults live in households with guns, which is higher than the national average.
Massachusetts gun owners face a deadline to register their firearms with the state this Wednesday. A referendum on repealing that requirement takes place six days later, leading to frustration among gun owners. Toby Leary, chair of The Civil Rights Coalition, argues that requiring registration before voting on the issue violates people's rights.
Massachusetts voters will face a deadline to register their firearms with the state, which is set at Wednesday. The gun law referendum is set to happen six days later. This sequence has angered some gun owners, who argue it violates their rights to have their say on the matter before they can vote. Democratic Governor Maura Healey signed an emergency provision making the gun law effective immediately in 2024, two years ahead of the referendum.
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