Mass. Lawmakers Weigh Tough Gun Control Measures

Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing tougher gun control measures, from requiring gun owners to buy liability insurance to setting tighter standards for firearms licenses.

State Rep. David Linsky, a Natick Democrat, said he plans to file by mid-January what he called a comprehensive bill to end gun violence.

Linksy spoke with reporters Thursday moments after meeting with more than 100 lawmakers and legislative staffers of both parties.

Linksy said other ideas being debated included allowing mental health screenings and tightening rules for storage of firearms.

"If we have children, if we have loved ones, if we have families, if we care about the people of Massachusetts, we have a stake in this because our goal is quite simple: It is to reduced gun violence in Massachusetts," Linsky said.

Gov. Deval Patrick has already proposed limiting gun purchases to one per month and toughening laws aimed at "straw purchasers" of guns.

Gun rights advocates say lawmakers are focusing too much attention on law-abiding gun owners and not enough on criminals.

Massachusetts already has some of the nation's toughest gun laws.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom