As the race for Franklin County Sheriff heats up, the stark differences between Interim Sheriff Lori Streeter and challenger Isaac Mass have become clear, particularly on the issue of gun rights.
With Massachusetts recently enacting a controversial gun reform law that prohibits 18- to 21-year-olds from purchasing, possessing, or carrying handguns and certain semi-automatic firearms, the candidates’ opposing views highlight what is at stake for Franklin County residents.
Sheriff Streeter has publicly endorsed the law, stating, “I think it’s a responsible thing to do. It’s a strong statement and a necessary statement, and I think Massachusetts is all the better for it.” She believes the restrictions do not infringe on the Second Amendment since they only apply to specific firearms and that such measures contribute to public safety. Streeter, who is not a gun owner and has no hunting experience, aligns with the state’s broader push for stricter gun control.
This position aligns with former Sheriff Christopher Donelan’s support for various aspects of gun control during his tenure. Donelan backed measures such as the ban on 3D-printed guns and ghost guns, reflecting a consistent approach to stringent gun regulations in the county’s leadership.
In sharp contrast, Isaac Mass, a veteran of the Massachusetts Army National Guard and a criminal defense attorney with over 13 years of experience defending gun owners, has criticized the law as an unconstitutional infringement on rights. He argues that young adults should not be stripped of their Second Amendment protections simply because of their age.
“If you are old enough and responsible enough to deploy halfway around the world and carry an M16 while putting your life on the line for the U.S. Constitution, I believe you are old enough and responsible enough to carry a semi-automatic weapon in Massachusetts,” said Mass.
Mass also called out the hypocrisy in the legal system regarding how young adults are treated under the law.
“An 18- to 20-year-old convicted of crimes in Franklin County serve time in the same House of Corrections under the supervision of the Sheriff as a 21-year-old. These young people are tried and convicted as adults, but our current Sheriff does not want them to have the same constitutional rights, and I think that is just plain wrong.”
The debate over Massachusetts’ new gun law has been divisive, with many local experts and firearms instructors opposing the age restrictions. Critics argue that it unjustly targets responsible young gun owners while doing little to curb crime. Leon “Lee” Laster, owner of the Western Massachusetts Training & Education Academy, stated, “It’s like they’re picking and choosing who they want to restrict.”
Similarly, Malisa Younger, a certified firearms instructor, has voiced her concerns about how this law impacts youth training and education. “Taking long guns away from 18- to 21-year-olds is such a disservice to America, to our Second Amendment,” she said.
As voters in Franklin County prepare to head to the polls, they face a clear choice: continue with the anti-gun status quo under Streeter, who supports the state’s restrictive gun laws, or elect Mass, who vows to uphold the constitutional rights of all law-abiding gun owners.
The outcome of this election will determine the future of gun rights enforcement in Franklin County for years to come.
Human Rights Groups Challenge Massachusetts’ Unconstitutional Ban on Guns for 18- to 20-Year-Olds
Gun Lawyers Make Moves to End Massachusetts’ Handgun Ban for Good
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