BOSTON – The process for new gun reform legislation has been long and arduous.

Legislators went on a statewide listening tour last year to hear concerns after introducing gun reform legislation. There were numerous hearings and two lengthy debates in each chamber.

Now, an agreement has at last been reached. 

Rep. Joe McKenna (R-Worcester 18^th) was named to the conference committee. He said he feels like he was heard in the meetings, even if he didn’t have final say over the bill, which he does not support. 

“I feel like it's a solution in search of a problem in Massachusetts. We've consistently had among the strictest gun laws in the nation. And as a result, we have the second-lowest gun violence in the nation,” said McKenna. “I think it is unnecessary at this point in time, and is a response to national narratives more than to a problem that exists in Massachusetts.”

The compromised bill allows communities to ban guns from polling places and government buildings, and schools, with exceptions for off-duty and retired police officers. 

It ensures people who have restraining orders against them will no longer have access to firearms. It criminalizes Glock switches and ghost guns, and requires live-round training before a license to carry is issued. 

Sen. Michael Moore (D- 2^nd Worcester) said the laws are coming from law enforcement requests, and legal gun owners have nothing to fear. 

“Look, this targets these specific issues that we have gotten, that we have received from the professionals who do this job on a daily basis,” said Moore.

McKenna said he doesn’t think this will be the last time that a gun reform bill will be taken up. He said when something happens around the country, Massachusetts tends to introduce legislation, despite it not happening here. 

The House brought the conference committee report to the floor for a vote. It passed and now will head back to the Senate before it can head to the governor’s desk.