what is Chapter 135?
“We can’t fix a law that’s fundamentally flawed. H4885 isn’t about safety—it’s about control. And we must stand together to repeal it in its entirety.”
-Toby Leary
Chairman of The Civil Rights Coalition
The Civil Rights Coalition is a Ballot Committee whose purpose is to Suspend and Repeal Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024.
In 2024, Chapter 135 (formerly H.4885) was signed into law with sweeping mandates that turn law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight and force honest citizens to reapply for rights they’ve held for decades to comply with confusing, burdensome rules that violate due process and privacy.
The Civil Rights Coalition is working to repeal Chapter 135, citing the dangerous precedents it sets which have the potential to reach far beyond the Second Amendment and threaten all Civil Rights guaranteed by the United States Consititution.
Privacy and security Risks
The law requires registration of all lawfully owned firearms, creating a centralized database of lawful gun owners in Massachusetts. This sets a dangerous precedent for the Government to be collecting this data and raises concerns about the privacy and security of firearm owners’ personal information.
Eroding due process
The broadly expanded list of petitioners who may file for an ERPO now included individuals with no Medical or Mental Health Training. This has significant potential for abuse and misuse of the provision, with individuals using ERPOs for personal grievances or as tools of harassment.
Immediate confiscation of firearms without an initial hearing may infringe on due process rights, leaving individuals with limited recourse. Being subject to an ERPO can damage an individual’s reputation, even if the claims are later found to be unfounded.
inconsistent Enforcement
Determining compliance with the nuanced definitions throughout this law may be difficult, leading to inconsistent enforcement.