Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

Massachusetts: New Ivory Bill is referred to Committee

Friday, May 6, 2016

Massachusetts: New Ivory Bill is referred to Committee

Several weeks ago, we reported that closed-door discussions were again underway on legislation to regulate the sale of ivory and ivory products in the Commonwealth.  As a result of these discussions, newly introduced ivory ban legislation, Senate Bill 2241, has replaced Senate Bill 440 and has made its way to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.  Please contact your state Representative and state Senator to urge them to oppose S. 2241.


Similar to S. 440, S. 2241 would prohibit a person from importing, selling, offering for sale, purchasing, bartering or possessing with intent to sell - any ivory, ivory product, rhinoceros horn or rhinoceros horn product with limited exceptions. Unfortunately, this bill would do nothing to promote its purported goal of addressing poaching and the illegal ivory trade, however, it would impose unfair restrictions on law-abiding citizens.

While the National Rifle Association stands in opposition to the illegal ivory trade and poaching, arbitrarily banning the trade and sale of legally owned, pre-ban ivory will not save one elephant. Our association is receptive to measures that directly target the illegal ivory trade and poaching. We do not, however, support symbolic measures that do little more than move the goalposts for law-abiding citizens and deprive them of the value of property that was originally obtained legally and in good faith. Needless to say, property that cannot be sold is radically diminished in value.

While this bill contains limited exceptions, it does not adequately address the overall concerns. The exception for items containing “de minimis” quantities of ivory fails to take into account the many variations of ivory pieces that may be present on a firearm. For example, ivory on a firearm can vary from decorative inlays, to bead sights, to ivory grips.

In addition, S. 2241 sets up an array of unanswered questions for owners of firearms with ivory components. For example:

  • How would “the primary source of the value” of a firearm be determined? - Could value be attributed to a historical owner of the firearm or is it due to its ivory components, but who would determine such value?
  • How would individuals accurately measure the weight of a non-removable ivory component, such as an inlaid decoration, without damaging the product itself?
  • What kind of proof would an individual need to show that the item was manufactured before the passage of S. 2241? - Would this restriction prohibit the repair of ivory components on a firearm after the passage of this act?

Finally, this legislation arbitrarily treats various owners of ivory differently. For instance, antique items must be not less than 100 years old; owners of musical instruments containing ivory must have “historical documentation” demonstrating provenance and proving the item was manufactured no later than 1975; and items with “de minimis” quantities of ivory must be manufactured before the passage of this act.

Historically, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has always maintained the position that most ivory in the U.S. has been legally imported and that its sale in the U.S. did not materially contribute to the illegal ivory trade. Nevertheless, S. 2241 ignores that premise and creates confusing and burdensome regulations that nearly prohibit the purchase or sale of any ivory, ivory product, rhinoceros horn, or rhinoceros horn product in Massachusetts.

Once again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Representative and state Senator to urge them to oppose S. 2241.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Massachusetts Ivory

BY NRA-ILA Staff

TRENDING NOW
First Affirmative Lawsuit in Support of Gun Owners Filed by Trump’s DOJ

News  

Monday, October 6, 2025

First Affirmative Lawsuit in Support of Gun Owners Filed by Trump’s DOJ

California officials’ egregious foot-dragging over the issuance of carry permits has finally attracted the ire of the federal Department of Justice (DOJ). 

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

Monday, October 13, 2025

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

For someone who has claimed to be"...deeply mindful and respectful of the Second Amendment and people’s Constitutional rights,” Governor Gavin Newsom has once again proven that actions speak louder than words.

FBI Persists in Underreporting Armed Citizen Defensive Gun Use

News  

Monday, October 13, 2025

FBI Persists in Underreporting Armed Citizen Defensive Gun Use

Three years ago, Dr. John Lott of the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), writing for RealClearInvestigations, described how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was vastly undercounting, “by an order of more than three the number of instances in ...

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

NRA Files Another Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Thursday, October 9, 2025

NRA Files Another Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Today, the National Rifle Association—along with the American Suppressor Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation—announced the filing of another lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA).

Firearm Prohibition Advocates Mute on Jay Jones “Two Bullets to the Head” Scandal

News  

Monday, October 13, 2025

Firearm Prohibition Advocates Mute on Jay Jones “Two Bullets to the Head” Scandal

Democrat Jay Jones, candidate for Virginia attorney general, still has not suspended his campaign, even as pressure mounts over disclosures that should disqualify, to put it mildly, any individual from serving as the chief law ...

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging California’s Glock Ban

Monday, October 13, 2025

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging California’s Glock Ban

Today, the National Rifle Association—along with Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, Poway Weapons & Gear, and two NRA members—filed a lawsuit challenging California’s Glock ban.

Canada’s Public Safety Minister on Gun Ban & Confiscation: “Don’t Ask Me to Explain the Logic”

News  

Monday, September 29, 2025

Canada’s Public Safety Minister on Gun Ban & Confiscation: “Don’t Ask Me to Explain the Logic”

There have been multiple developments on the Canadian gun grab and ban in the last few days, but the most astounding has got to be a leaked bombshell recording of the Liberal Public Safety Minister, ...

Rehearing En Banc Sought in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Rehearing En Banc Sought in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Today, the National Rifle Association announced the filing of a petition for rehearing en banc in Siegel v. Platkin, a challenge to New Jersey’s carry restrictions.

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.