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Bill

H 2590

An Act making firearm owners civilly liable for damage caused by lost or stolen firearms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Marjorie Decker and 2 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill makes gun owners civilly liable for damages caused by their lost or stolen firearms, incentivizing secure storage but raising constitutional and fairness concerns.

Committee reported that the matter be placed in the Orders of the Day for the next sitting for a second reading
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 2590

Legislative bill overview

H 2590 would establish civil liability for firearm owners whose guns are lost or stolen and subsequently used to cause harm or damage. This creates a legal duty for gun owners to be held financially responsible for damages resulting from their improperly secured firearms, shifting liability from the person who commits the crime to the original owner.

Why is this important

This bill addresses a gap in Massachusetts law regarding accountability for negligent firearm storage. Proponents argue it incentivizes responsible gun ownership and secures compensation for victims when stolen weapons are used in crimes. The approach targets the source of illegal gun supply by creating financial consequences for insecure storage practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional concerns: Second Amendment advocates argue this constitutes an undue burden on gun ownership rights and may face legal challenges based on liability standards for inanimate objects
  • Causation and fairness: Questions arise about holding original owners liable for criminals' deliberate choices to steal and use weapons, potentially creating liability without direct fault
  • Insurance and cost implications: Gun owners may face significantly higher insurance costs or inability to obtain coverage, effectively creating a financial barrier to firearm ownership that could disproportionately affect lower-income residents
  • Scope ambiguity: Unclear thresholds for what constitutes "lost or stolen" versus criminal theft, and whether this applies to all damages or only specific categories of harm

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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