House lawmakers are gearing up to debate a sweeping bill designed to tighten Massachusetts' gun laws.An updated version of the bill to be debated on Wednesday would require police chiefs to give reasons for denying gun licenses. Those denials would have to be based on public safety and could be appealed.Massachusetts most-armed towns The bill would also create a web-based portal within the Executive Office of Public Safety to allow real-time background checks for private gun sales.The bill would also stiffen penalties for some gun-based crimes and create a State Police gun trafficking unit.House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he's met with gun safety advocates and gun owners and believes the bill is fair.Gun rights advocates said they're concerned House lawmakers will have less than 24 hours to read the bill before debating it.

House lawmakers are gearing up to debate a sweeping bill designed to tighten Massachusetts' gun laws.

An updated version of the bill to be debated on Wednesday would require police chiefs to give reasons for denying gun licenses. Those denials would have to be based on public safety and could be appealed.



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Massachusetts most-armed towns



The bill would also create a web-based portal within the Executive Office of Public Safety to allow real-time background checks for private gun sales.



The bill would also stiffen penalties for some gun-based crimes and create a State Police gun trafficking unit.



House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he's met with gun safety advocates and gun owners and believes the bill is fair.



Gun rights advocates said they're concerned House lawmakers will have less than 24 hours to read the bill before debating it.



