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HD 4138

An Act relative to the definition of law enforcement officers as pertaining to possession of firearms

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste

Massachusetts bill expanding "law enforcement officer" definition to grant firearms possession rights to additional personnel categories in security and enforcement roles.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 4138

Legislative bill overview

HD 4138 would modify Massachusetts law to expand the definition of "law enforcement officer" for purposes of firearms possession regulations. The bill aims to clarify or broaden which categories of officers are permitted to carry firearms under state law, potentially including security personnel or other non-traditional enforcement roles not currently classified as law enforcement.

Why is this important

How Massachusetts defines "law enforcement officer" directly determines who can legally carry firearms in the state and under what circumstances. This definitional change could affect firearms access for thousands of people working in security, corrections, campus safety, or similar roles, while also influencing public safety policy and officer training requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of expansion: Unclear which specific officer categories would be newly included, raising questions about whether security guards, loss prevention personnel, or private contractors could gain law enforcement firearms privileges
  • Training and accountability standards: Expanding the definition without proportional increases in training requirements or oversight could create public safety concerns about inadequately prepared armed personnel
  • Constitutional and precedent concerns: Massachusetts has restrictive gun laws; this expansion may conflict with existing statutory frameworks or face legal challenges regarding selective firearms privileges based on occupation

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

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