Senate will seek vote over broader gun limits

Senate Democrats will pursue a vote in one week on a wide-reaching gun law reform bill that aims to rein in the proliferation of untraceable firearms, builds on the state’s “red flag” law, and bans possession of so-called Glock switches and similar devices.

Months after the House advanced its own sweeping and controversial gun bill, Senate President Karen Spilka’s office said her chamber’s proposal will hit the Senate floor for debate on Feb. 1.

Spilka’s office said the legislation will update state law to crack down on so-called ghost guns, which are untraceable and assembled from parts. The measure would also: codify the state’s ban on assault weapons, prohibit devices that convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons, and ensure gun dealers are inspected annually.

The legislation would allow health care professionals to ask a court to temporarily remove someone’s firearms if they are deemed dangerous.

The bill also requires individuals subject to harassment protection orders who pose an immediate threat to surrender their firearms, bans carrying guns in government administrative buildings, gives firearm licensing authorities access to some of an applicant’s mental health hospitalization history, creates a new crime for firing at a dwelling or other building in use, and prohibits marketing of unlawful firearm sales to minors.

Spilka’s office rolled out a statement of support for its bill from the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, which opposed the House-approved legislation.

“The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, which represents city, town and university police chiefs across the Commonwealth, supports the concise firearms reform bill put forth by the Senate,” Eric Gillis, president of the chiefs’ association and police chief in Agawam, said.