BOSTON (
MyFoxBoston.com) -- It's a sweeping new bill House Speaker Robert DeLeo has been working on for a long time.
He calls it very reasonable. Gun rights advocates say they have problems with it.
What does Governor Patrick think about it? He's not even in the country.
At the State House, Speaker DeLeo announced a comprehensive bill Tuesday to tighten up already tough gun laws in Massachusetts.
"In the face of continued absence of federal leadership, leaders in state government have to step up where ever they can," he said.
The long awaited bill addresses mental health issues, calls for background checks for private gun sales, mandates the state join a national instant criminal background database, and creates a list of suitability standards to give local police chiefs the ability to deny licenses for rifles or shotguns.
"We know there are cases in mass where someone is denied a license to carry and then turn around and say alright you won't give me a license to carry, im applying for an fid card and police chief at that moment has no discretion whatsoever he has to issue an fid card," said Rep. David Linsky (D) of Natick.
But gun rights advocates say they're disappointed.
"One of the things that really bothers me is expanding the suitability clause for firearms ID cards," said Jim Wallace of the Gun Owners' Action League.
They believe it will unfairly target lawful gun owners.
"Certain parts of it, it will," said Wallace. "Sure. I'm hoping some of the mental health aspects we can support and move forward with some of those."
Speaker DeLeo says he wants to get it to the governor for his signature by the end of session in July.
And if you ever questioned who really has the power on Beacon Hill, here's your answer.
"You had said in the absence of federal leadership state leaders have to step up. Have you been able to talk to the governor about this? I know he's in Israel today," FOX 25 political reporter Sharman Sacchetti asked DeLeo.
"Not about this specific rollout of the bill today because the governor is in Israel, but I think the governor's record has shown his support," DeLeo said.
"Has he already been briefed on a lot fo the key points of the legislation?" Sacchetti asked.
"Today was the first day that the bill has been in printed form. So we will make sure that obviously gets to the governor and his secretary of public safety gets a full briefing of the bill," DeLeo answered.
A spokeswoman for the governor's office tells us the administration won't have a comment until they review the bill. A public hearing is set for a week from today at the state house.
