A recent legislative proposal in Massachusetts has sparked a "travel advisory" from a gun rights organization, cautioning gun owners about the potential impact of new firearm restrictions. The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) argues that the bill, HD 4420, would impose some of the strictest gun control measures in the United States.

The proposed legislation, as reported by the Boston Globe, outlines several key changes to existing gun laws:

• Mandatory registration and serialization of gun receivers and barrels.
• Expansion of the state's "red flag" law, empowering school officials, healthcare providers, and employers to request emergency protective orders against individuals deemed a risk.
• Closing loopholes that allow modification of legal firearms into illegal automatic weapons.
• Restriction of long-gun permits for individuals aged 18-21, excluding shotguns and semi-automatic rifles.
• Prohibition of firearms in designated areas like polling stations, government buildings, schools, and private property without explicit owner consent.
• Increased penalties for failure to report lost or stolen firearms.
• Implementation of an anonymous gun surrender program offering immunity from prosecution.
• Mandatory live firearm training and written examination for gun license applicants.
• Transfer of gun dealer oversight from local to state police.

NAGR President Dudley Brown characterized the bill as an unprecedented assault on gun ownership, citing the proposed ban on numerous firearm types, comprehensive registration requirements, and limitations on carrying firearms. He urged residents to consider leaving the state and advised against travel to Massachusetts for gun owners.

Bill author, Representative Michael Day, countered these claims, asserting that the legislation targets individuals circumventing existing laws through technological advancements and illicit activities, rather than responsible gun owners. He emphasized the intent to address criminal behavior while preserving the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Guns are displayed in a store in Greeley, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 9, 2022. (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

Guns are displayed at a gun shop in Oregon on Feb. 19, 2021. (AP Photo / Andrew Selsky)

A customer holds a Glock 17 for sale at Redstone Firearms in Burbank, California, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Kyle Grillot / Bloomberg via Getty Images)