Gun Rights Group Files Lawsuit Against Mass. Gov., AG for Assault Weapons Ban

A Massachusetts gun rights group has filed a lawsuit against the state's governor and attorney general, arguing that the state's current assault weapons ban is unconstitutional.

The Gun Owners Action League, or GOAL, announced the lawsuit Tuesday morning, which also reportedly includes the state's public safety secretary and the state police as defendants.

The complaint contends the state's 2016 ban on the sale or possession of certain popular rifle models is illegal.

The Boston Globe reports that GOAL is a state chapter of the National Rifle Association.

A spokesperson for the AG's office says they will fight the lawsuit in their ongoing efforts to protect Massachusetts residents.

"The assault weapons ban keeps dangerous, military-style weapons off our streets," spokesperson Jillian Fennimore said in a statement. "Since our office issued the enforcement last July, sales of illegal assault weapons have ended in Massachusetts. This new lawsuit, the second challenge by the gun lobby, seeks to overturn this 20-year-old law."

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