GOAL Legal Action

Welcome to GOAL's Legal Action Page


Here you can keep up with legal actions that GOAL is involved in. Some may be initiated by us and some we may be supporting.


It is important to keep in mind that GOAL does not have the resources to help every individual. What we look for are cases that will make a difference for as many citizens as possible.

Mike Harris - GOAL's Director of Public Policy


Mike is the point person at GOAL Headquarters for legal action.

Federal Court

Chapter 135 (H.4885)



Strategy: This law is so massive that no court will take it on all at once. The law will have to be broken down in chunks by specific subject matter. This will result in several different cases being filed. GOAL has been working for months with several organizations to share the workload.

GOAL files first of several legal challenges to Chapter 135 (H.4885)!


The case has been filed (August 1, 2024) - Court filing document.


On what has to be considered a dark day in U.S. history, GOAL is announcing the first, of several, actions in federal court against Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024 (H.4885). This first filing goes after the licensing and training "regimes" created in this historic anti-civil rights attack by the Massachusetts legislature. Now that the case has been filed, we await the court to assign a judge to the case.


We are honored to lead the 2A community in this effort and will keep everyone informed as this first part of our effort moves forward. More to follow.

Massachusetts State Court

Bruen Related

Donnell Case - Non-resident Licensing

Lowell District Court


District Court Decision


  • The local district court ruled against the State in charging a non-resident in possession of a firearm without a license. 
  • The Commonwealth has appealed and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) has called for the case, thus by-passing the state appellate court.
  • GOAL has engaged a law firm to provide the SJC with an Amicus Brief. 


Amicus Briefs filed:



District Court Decision: https://www.docdroid.net/524o4XV/opinion-coffey-comm-v-donnell-pdf

SJC: https://www.mass.gov/doc/commonwealth-v-dean-f-donnell-jr-dar-29602/download

SJC Docket: https://www.ma-appellatecourts.org/docket/SJC-13561

Belchertown - Suitability

Eastern Hampshire District Court


A decision from the Eastern Hampshire District Court (Doran v. Pacunas / docket 2498CV84) found that a denial of an LTC based on “suitability” (aka the unfettered discretion of a police chief) was unconstitutional. The Town of Belchertown has now engaged a Boston law firm, which serves as their town counsel, to oppose this finding. Belchertown is spending its tax dollars on suppressing the constitutional rights of Massachusetts citizens. This town stands in support of “suitability”, allowing police to use their discretion to deny LTCs to otherwise eligible Massachusetts citizens. This case has state-wide implications far beyond Belchertown. GOAL and Attorney Daniel Hagan will vigorously fight to uphold the judge’s decision and to protect the 2A rights of all Massachusetts citizens.


Westbrook Case - Suitability

Holyoke District Court

 

In a case that originated from the town of Holyoke, MA, Mr. Westbrook applied for a License to Carry (LTC) and was denied by Chief David Pratt of the Holyoke Police Department. His denial was due to Westbrook being determined “unsuitable” by the Chief. Mr. Westbrook then sued the Town asserting that the decision to deny him his license based on “suitability” was unconstitutional (Bruen). The judge handling the case at the local District State Court agreed with him and ordered the Town to issue him his LTC.

 

Of course, the Commonwealth has appealed the decision and it is likely headed to the MA Supreme Judicial Court for appeal. GOAL has decided to fund Mr. Westbrook’s defense moving forward and is proud to be working with Attorney William Smith to ensure this precedent stands for all citizens of the Commonwealth who want to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

 

If you would like to review some of the court documents related to this case click here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/westbrook-v-pratt-holyoke-district-court-2024/download

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