Attorney General
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Sixteen Charged After Takedown Of Major Fentanyl And Cocaine Trafficking Operation In Southeastern Massachusetts
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
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Sixteen Charged After Takedown Of Major Fentanyl And Cocaine Trafficking Operation In Southeastern Massachusetts
BOSTON -- A joint operation on Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16, 2025, led by the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Raynham Police Department, and prosecuted by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO), resulted in the execution of search
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
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Sixteen Charged After Takedown Of Major Fentanyl And Cocaine Trafficking Operation In Southeastern Massachusetts
BOSTON -- A joint operation on Tuesday, April 15, and Wednesday, April 16, 2025, led by the Massachusetts State Police Commonwealth Interstate Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Raynham Police Department, and prosecuted by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO), resulted in the execution of searchwarrants at 20 locations throughout Fall River, Taunton, Raynham, Norton, Pembroke, and Falmouth, and the arrests of 16 suspected fentanyl and cocaine distributors. During the searches, law enforcement seized approximately 2,360 grams of cocaine and 1,364 grams of fentanyl, 33 firearms, multiple high-capacity magazines, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and $109,355 in US currency.
The AGO's State Police Detective Unit, the State Police's Technical Services Unit, the Plymouth, Bristol and Norfolk County State Police Detective Units, Norton Police Department, Fall River Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration New Bedford Resident Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the West Bridgewater Police Department also provided valuable investigative assistance.
"Operation No Love" began in March of 2024, when members of CINRET-South, consisting of Troopers and Officers with Brockton and East Bridgewater Police Departments and a special agent with HSI, initiated a narcotics investigation into a drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Bristol County.
Through investigative efforts, an undercover State Trooper was able to successfully conduct nine controlled drug purchases with a member of the drug trafficking organization. With the controlled purchases as a starting point, the investigative team used a combination of physical and electronic surveillance, toll analysis, and court-authorized electronic intercepts of target cell phones, to identify the organization's hierarchy, primary subjects, communication devices, vehicles, methods of operation, and sources of narcotics supply.
As a result of information developed through these methods, investigators obtained search warrants for 11 locations in Taunton, two locations in Raynham, four locations in Fall River, and one location each in Falmouth, Pembroke, and Norton.
On the morning of Tuesday, April 15, the investigative team, comprised of nearly 200 law enforcement Troopers and Officers, conducted a coordinated operation and executed the warrants. As a result of the search warrants on April 15, investigators seized approximately 2280 grams of cocaine, 336 grams of fentanyl, 32 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, and $109,355 in suspected drug proceeds. In addition, on April 16, Fall River Police Department and CINRET investigators received further information regarding one of the target locations in Taunton. Members of CINRET, assisted by a Narcotics K9 from the Quincy Police Department, returned to the location, conducted a subsequent search, and located a loaded Diamondback 9 mm pistol, 1028 grams of fentanyl and 80 grams of cocaine.
The following 16 individuals were arrested as a result of the investigation and arraigned in various District Courts:
Fall River District Court:
* Yosef Ali, 49, of Fall River
* Trafficking in Fentanyl, 100 grams or More (1 count)
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or More (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $75,000
* Jean Carlos Castillo Mendoza, 44, of Fall River
* Trafficking in Fentanyl, 100 grams or More (1 count)
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or More (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $150,000
Taunton District Court:
* Jorge Santiago, 36, of Taunton
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (2 counts)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $20,000
* Jorge Arce, 46, of Taunton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or More (1 count)
* Trafficking in Fentanyl, 36 grams or More (1 count)
* Possession of Ammunition without FID Card (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $100,000
* Neftali Torres, 51, of Taunton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 100 grams or More (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $25,000
* Christopher McLaughlin, 43, of Taunton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 18 grams or More (1 count)
* Trafficking in Fentanyl, 18 grams or More (1 count)
* Held without Bail
* Shawn Roias, 35, of Taunton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or More (1 count)
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class D Substance (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device (1 count)
* Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony (1 count)
* Bail set at $25,000
* Courtney Whitmore, 27, of Taunton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 200 grams or More (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $10,000
* Val Bettencourt, 50, of Taunton
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance, Subsequent Offense (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $10,000
* Brayton Crites, 26, of Taunton
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class A Substance, Subsequent Offense (2 counts)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $20,000
* Andrew Williams, 27, of Raynham
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 18 grams or More (5 counts)
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 36 grams or More (2 counts)
* Distribution of a Class B Substance (3 counts)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $25,000
* Sabrina Cohen, 27, of Taunton
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $1,000
* Lucas Guimaraes, 29, of Norton
* Trafficking in Cocaine, 36 grams or More (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $25,000
* Brian Szakaly, 27, of Raynham
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class B Substance (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony (1 count)
* Bail set at $15,000
Falmouth District Court:
* David Brasil, 45, of Falmouth
* Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class a Class B Substance (1 count)
* Possession of a Class C Substance (1 count)
* Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws (1 count)
* Bail set at $500
* Mary Hunt, 59, of Falmouth
* Possession of a Class B Substance
* Bail set at Personal Recognizance
* Lucas Guimaraes will also be arraigned at a later date out of Attleboro District Court on the following charges:
* Trafficking Cocaine, 100 grams or more (1 Count)
* Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (1 Count)
* Possession of a Firearm without FID Card (1 Count)
* Possession of Ammunition without FID Card (1 Count)
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is at least 50-100 times more potent than morphine. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)'s 2024 Threat Assessment, "fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, killing nearly 38,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023 alone."
All of these charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Diana Fantasia and Deputy Division Chief Jen Kirshenbaum of the AGO's Enterprise & Major Crimes Division.
The following law enforcement agencies provided valuable assistance for "Operation No Love:" Troopers with the State Police's Special Tactical Operations ("STOP") Team, Gang Unit, Narcotics Section, Community Action Team, Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, Troop D Detectives, Fraud ID Section, CINRET-North, and Detective Units assigned to the AGO and Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, and Cape and Island County District Attorney's Office; agents with HSI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and members of the Brockton, East Bridgewater, Norton, Fall River, West Bridgewater, Falmouth, and Pembroke Police Departments.
* Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/sixteen-charged-after-takedown-of-major-fentanyl-and-cocaine-trafficking-operation-in-southeastern-massachusetts
California Department of Justice Investigating Newport Beach Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506
SACRAMENTO, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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California Department of Justice Investigating Newport Beach Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506
**The information provided below is based on preliminary details regarding an ongoing investigation, which may continue to evolve**
OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting
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SACRAMENTO, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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California Department of Justice Investigating Newport Beach Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506
**The information provided below is based on preliminary details regarding an ongoing investigation, which may continue to evolve**
OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ), pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting(OIS) that occurred in Newport Beach, California on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at approximately 9:15 p.m. The OIS incident resulted in the death of one individual and involved personnel from the Newport Beach Police Department.
Following notification by local authorities, DOJ's California Police Shooting Investigation Team initiated an investigation in accordance with AB 1506 mandates. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to DOJ's Special Prosecutions Section within the Criminal Law Division for independent review. Anyone who has information related to this officer-involved shooting incident and wishes to report it may do so by calling (916) 210-2871.
More information on the California Department of Justice's role and responsibilities under AB 1506 is available here: https://oag.ca.gov/ois-incidents.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-investigating-newport-beach-police-department
Attorney General Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
LANSING, Michigan, April 18 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing two amicus briefs (PDF) supporting law firms challenging unconstitutional executive orders imposing severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored by the Trump administration.
"A functioning democracy depends on a judicial system that operates free
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LANSING, Michigan, April 18 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Law Firms Targeted for Retribution by Trump Administration
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing two amicus briefs (PDF) supporting law firms challenging unconstitutional executive orders imposing severe sanctions on the firms in retaliation for doing work disfavored by the Trump administration.
"A functioning democracy depends on a judicial system that operates freefrom executive interference and without fear of retaliation by the federal government," Nessel said. "At every turn, Donald Trump undermines this very principle and the rule of law by intimidating members of the legal profession and defying court orders. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to support the legal community."
President Donald Trump has issued executive orders retaliating against law firms whose advocacy, clients, and personnel he dislikes. These orders require federal officials to suspend any active security clearances held by individuals at the law firms, to refuse to engage with or hire employees of these firms, and to deny the law firms' personnel entry to federal buildings. The orders also direct federal contractors to disclose any business they do with the law firms so that agencies can terminate any contract with the firms.
The coalition's briefs were filed in support of law firms in cases challenging two of these orders in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia: Jenner & Block LLP v. U.S. Department of Justice and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP v. Executive Office of the President. In both cases, the plaintiff law firms obtained temporary injunctive relief and are now asking a judge to permanently block the executive orders against them.
Attorney General Nessel and the coalition argue that the administration's unconstitutional actions are a gross abuse of authority that threaten the rule of law. They note that a fair and functioning judicial system depends on lawyers being willing to work on controversial cases or represent unpopular clients without fearing retribution by the government. The attorneys general further argue that the orders will harm the residents of their states by making it more difficult for many potential clients - especially those who currently rely on pro bono representation - to obtain legal services and vindicate their rights in court.
Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing the briefs are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2025/04/18/attorney-general-nessel-joins-coalition-supporting-law-firms-targeted-for-retribution
Attorney General Clark Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
MONTPELIER, Vermont, April 18 -- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark posted the following news release:
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Attorney General Clark Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in supporting two commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission who are challenging the illegal decision by President Trump to fire them without cause.
For more than 100 years, the FTC has played an important role in consumer protection against scams and fraud, recovering billions of dollars for consumers harmed by
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MONTPELIER, Vermont, April 18 -- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark posted the following news release:
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Attorney General Clark Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in supporting two commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission who are challenging the illegal decision by President Trump to fire them without cause.
For more than 100 years, the FTC has played an important role in consumer protection against scams and fraud, recovering billions of dollars for consumers harmed byunfair and deceptive practices. The agency has also been at the center of important antitrust cases that protect consumers from anticompetitive practices, many of which involved close partnerships with the states, such as the recent lawsuit to stop the merger between Kroger and Albertsons.
That strong track record, the attorneys general argue in their brief, is due in large part to the bipartisan structure of the agency's leadership, which fosters well-reasoned decision making and provides expertise that many state attorneys general rely on to do their work.
Allowing this decision to stand would destroy the FTC's structure and harm its mission. Allowing the president to have at-will removal authority would ruin the FTC's independence by allowing the commission to become a partisan agency subject to the political whims of the president. Conversely, the president could end up firing all of the commissioners, leaving the FTC rudderless and unable to perform its function.
Joining Attorney General Clark in filing the brief are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the brief is available here.
CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171
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Original text here: https://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2025/04/18/attorney-general-clark-joins-coalition-challenging-illegal-firing-ftc-commissioners
Attorney General Bonta Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
SACRAMENTO, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in supporting two commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who are challenging the illegal decision by President Trump to terminate them without cause from the Commission. In today's amicus brief, the attorneys general highlight the importance of the
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SACRAMENTO, California, April 18 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Joins Coalition Challenging Illegal Firing of FTC Commissioners
OAKLAND - California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in supporting two commissioners, Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), who are challenging the illegal decision by President Trump to terminate them without cause from the Commission. In today's amicus brief, the attorneys general highlight the importance of theFTC and assert that the two commissioners' termination was illegal and violated longstanding Supreme Court precedent.
"A strong and independent FTC is not a partisan issue, it is an American imperative," said Attorney General Bonta. "Not only is the President's illegal firing of the two Commissioners extremely concerning, but it is also illegal. That's why my fellow attorneys general and I are filing this amicus brief in support of the Commissioners' reinstatement and to ensure the agency's ability to fully operate, free from political influence."
For more than 100 years, the FTC has played an important role in consumer protection against scams and fraud, recovering billions of dollars for consumers harmed by unfair and deceptive practices. The agency has also been at the center of important antitrust cases that protect consumers from anticompetitive practices, many of which involved close partnerships with the states, such as the recent lawsuit to stop the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. It was intentionally designed by Congress to be an independent and bipartisan agency, with five commissioners with staggered seven-year terms.
Last month, President Trump dismissed the two remaining Democratic commissioners of the FTC. Alvaro Bedoya, appointed in 2022, was known for his expertise on digital privacy issues. Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, initially appointed in 2018 and reappointed in 2023, had been an advocate for robust consumer protection measures.
In the amicus brief, the attorneys general argue that the President violated the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits the removal of FTC commissioners except for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office." The Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of the Act's removal protections in Humphrey's Executor v. United States. The removal of the two Commissioners dismantle the bipartisan structure of the agency's leadership, which ruins the FTC's independence by allowing the commission to become a partisan agency. This would allow the FTC to become an agency subject to the political whims of the president and unable to fully perform its function independently.
Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, in filing this amicus brief.
A copy of the amicus brief can be found here.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-joins-coalition-challenging-illegal-firing-ftc
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY PLEA AGAINST FORMER SUBURBAN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 18 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY PLEA AGAINST FORMER SUBURBAN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a guilty plea in a case against a former suburban public works director who used village resources to finance a bathroom upgrade.
Raoul's office prosecuted Scott Russell, 60, of Riverside, Illinois, who pleaded guilty today to one Class 2 felony count of theft of governmental property. Russell paid full restitution of $1,139.42
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CHICAGO, Illinois, April 18 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY PLEA AGAINST FORMER SUBURBAN PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a guilty plea in a case against a former suburban public works director who used village resources to finance a bathroom upgrade.
Raoul's office prosecuted Scott Russell, 60, of Riverside, Illinois, who pleaded guilty today to one Class 2 felony count of theft of governmental property. Russell paid full restitution of $1,139.42to the Village of Westchester. He was sentenced by Cook County Circuit Court Judge James Novy to two years of second chance probation and 30 hours of public service work.
"Government employees - whether they work at the local, state or federal level - are charged with carrying out the work of the people they serve and must be held to a higher standard," Raoul said. "I will continue to partner with local and state agencies to hold accountable anyone who defrauds the public."
Raoul charged Russell in September 2023 after an investigation by the Illinois State Police revealed he used a Village of Westchester credit card to purchase a bathtub intended for private use.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Haley Bookhout and Assistant Attorney General Tim Nimrod handled the case for Raoul's Office.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-obtains-guilty-plea-against-former-suburban-public-works-director
AG Campbell Issues Statement on First Circuit Court of Appeals Decision to Uphold Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
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AG Campbell Issues Statement on First Circuit Court of Appeals Decision to Uphold Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban
Boston -- Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today issued the following statement in response to the First Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in Capen and National Association for Gun Rights v. Campbell, upholding at a preliminary stage the state's ban on the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines.
"Massachusetts
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 18 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
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AG Campbell Issues Statement on First Circuit Court of Appeals Decision to Uphold Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban
Boston -- Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today issued the following statement in response to the First Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in Capen and National Association for Gun Rights v. Campbell, upholding at a preliminary stage the state's ban on the sale and possession of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines.
"Massachusettshas some of the strongest common sense gun laws in the country, and we know they are effective in ensuring our communities, especially our children, remain safe. The recent First Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to uphold Massachusetts' assault weapons ban is a tremendous victory for our state, and I will continue to vigorously defend these laws," said AG Campbell.
On Background:
* AG Campbell has a strong record of defending common sense gun laws here in Massachusetts and supporting other states like Illinois, California, and Delaware in their efforts to do the same.
* Earlier this month, AG Campbell awarded $1 million to ten organizations that will promote gun violence prevention across the Commonwealth as part of her ongoing efforts to bolster community-based gun violence prevention work and recognize gun violence as a public health concern.
* Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-campbell-issues-statement-on-first-circuit-court-of-appeals-decision-to-uphold-massachusetts-assault-weapons-ban
