Massachusetts: Governor files ‘tough’ anti-gun bill

A tough new anti-gun bill filed Tuesday by Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick seeks limit the purchase of guns to one per month and gives the courts new power to hold suspects without bail for simple illegal possession of a firearm.

The legislation would give district attorneys new power to keep suspects locked up pending a dangerousness hearing and moves to curb the illegal trafficking of weapons in the state by limiting purchases by so-called “straw purchasers” who buy guns for convicted felons and other prohibited buyers.

The change to the law governing pre-trial detention comes in response to a ruling Monday by the Supreme Judicial Court that found possession of an illegal firearm alone to be “passive and victimless crime.” The state’s highest court ruled that suspects could not be held without bail if their only offense was illegal possession.

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