After National Nurses Week, nurses highlight the importance of gun violence prevention to protecting patients, health care workers, and communities across the Commonwealth
14, May 2026, Boston – Today, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the largest union and professional association of registered nurses and health professionals in the state, announced its endorsement of Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts, the grassroots campaign working to protect the Commonwealth’s landmark 2024 gun safety law from repeal. The endorsement comes after National Nurses Week, which recognizes the critical role nurses play in safeguarding public health and caring for patients in every community across Massachusetts and the country.
The 2024 law strengthened safeguards against untraceable ghost guns, updated Extreme Risk Protection Order provisions, prohibited certain dangerous weapon modifications, and directed new resources toward violence prevention initiatives. Opponents, supported by the gun lobby and the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, have since advanced a ballot referendum aimed at overturning the law in full.
“As the granddaughter and niece of several nurses, I so deeply appreciate the Massachusetts Nurses Association for standing up in support of common-sense gun violence prevention,” said Ruth Zakarin, Chair of Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts. “Nurses see the toll of gun violence up close—in emergency rooms, in recovery units, and in the communities they serve. Their support underscores the urgency of preserving Massachusetts’ existing law to protect lives and improve public safety across Massachusetts.”
Since its founding in 1903, the MNA has been a leading voice on nursing and health care in Massachusetts, representing more than 23,000 members working in 85 health care facilities, including 51 acute care hospitals, as well as in schools, public health departments, and community-based settings. As a democratic, member-driven organization, MNA empowers frontline nurses and health professionals to advocate for policies that improve patient care and public health.
“As nurses, we see the consequences of gun violence in our emergency rooms, our hospitals, and our communities,” said Katie Murphy, a practicing ICU nurse and President of the MNA. “We are deeply committed to protecting the health and safety of our patients and our colleagues. Passing this law was a critical step forward in preventing injury and death from gun violence, and we aren’t going backwards. We are proud to stand with Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts to ensure these protections remain in place.”
Massachusetts has among the lowest rates of gun-related deaths in the country, but advocates caution that rolling back the 2024 law would dismantle key protections and increase risks for communities statewide. The Vote Yes For a Safe Massachusetts campaign continues to expand its coalition of health care professionals, workers, and community leaders, urging voters to vote YES to uphold this critical public safety measure.
About Vote Yes for a Safe Massachusetts
Yes For a Safe Massachusetts is a statewide grassroots coalition committed to advancing gun violence prevention efforts in Massachusetts and protecting common sense gun laws. You can find more information about the campaign at https://www.yesforasafema.com/.
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