Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey immediately implemented new gun legislation on Wednesday that not only cracks down on unserialized “ghost guns,” and attachments like bump stocks and trigger cranks, but also requires applicants to demonstrate basic safety principles and complete live-fire training before being granted a gun license.

State lawmakers approved the gun reform law in July, which was expected to go into effect later this month, and comes as the deep-blue state already has some of the toughest gun laws in the nation. 

The Associated Press reported that gun rights advocates were working to gather enough signatures to suspend the law before it took effect.

But rather than wait for the law to go into effect on Oct. 23, or 90 days after the governor signed it into law, Healey decided to put the law into effect immediately, blocking any temporary suspension of the law being sought by gun rights advocates.

SCOTUS TO TAKE UP CHALLENGE TO BIDEN ADMIN’S GHOST GUN RULE THAT GROUP DEEMS ‘ABUSIVE’

“This gun safety law bans ghost guns, strengthens the Extreme Risk Protection Order statute to keep guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others, and invests in violence prevention programs,” Healey said in a statement. “It is important that these measures go into effect without delay.”

The new law expands the state’s “red flag” law that allows police, health care and school officials to alert the courts if they believe someone with access to guns poses a threat and should have their firearms confiscated temporarily.

Gun rights advocates have called the law a “historic attack on our civil rights,” adding it imposes unnecessary barriers on those who are law-abiding citizens and want to own a gun.

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS CONTINUED REGULATION OF SO-CALLED ‘GHOST GUNS’

Gun rights advocates have also sought to suspend the law and place a referendum on a ballot in 2026, to give voters the chance to repeal the measure.

In order to suspend the law from going into effect, gun rights advocates needed to collect at least 49,716 signatures from registered voters.

The law was enacted, in part, as a response to the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which declared citizens have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense.

Gun rights advocates also filed a federal lawsuit arguing the Massachusetts law is unconstitutional, characterizing it as “onerous firearms legislation that imposes sweeping arms bans, magazine restrictions, registration requirements, and licensing preconditions that are as burdensome as they are ahistorical.”

GUN GROUPS SLAM BIDEN ADMIN OVER NEW ATF RULE: ‘WEAPONIZING EVERY TOOL’

The lawsuit asks the courts to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent the state from enforcing the “burdensome licensing regimes on the possession and carry of firearms for self-defense.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Gun Owners’ Action League in Massachusetts regarding Healey’s implementation of the gun reform law.

Healey’s action on Wednesday makes it unlawful for those who are not part of law enforcement to carry guns at schools, polling locations and government buildings.

The law also requires anyone applying for a license to carry firearms to demonstrate a basic understanding of safety principles and provides local licensing authorities with relevant mental health information.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

District attorneys are also able to prosecute people who shoot at or near homes and ensure people subject to restraining orders no longer have access to guns.

Additionally, the new law expands on the definition of “assault weapons” to include known assault weapons and other weapons that function like them. It also bans the possession, transfer or sale of assault-style firearms or large-capacity feeding devices.

Tuesday night’s vice-presidential debate offered a refreshing change from the combative tone that has plagued our political discourse over the past eight years. 

For many viewers, it was a relief to witness a civil exchange between two candidates who, surprisingly, seemed to respect one another. Sen. JD Vance showcased his skills as both an orator and debater, garnering a more favorable opinion from many voters. 

On the other hand, Gov. Tim Walz, while appearing somewhat nervous and lackluster, managed to connect with viewers through his likability and relatability. The unfortunate reality, however, is that neither candidate did enough to change any votes.

VANCE VS. WALZ DEBATE LEAVES AMERICANS WITH THIS BIG TAKEAWAY

So, what can we take away from this debate?

1. Address Real Issues: Frustration arose when candidates failed to answer direct questions. While skillful pivots are common in debates, ignoring a question won’t allow candidates to move on effectively. Vance faced tough questions about January 6th, while Walz stumbled through responses related to his affiliation with the CCP, leaving voters dissatisfied.
2. Speak to Their Truth: Both candidates found their best moments when they used language that resonated with the other side. Vance framed his argument using the left’s language, referring to “a family model that makes choice possible” and linking gun violence to mental health. Conversely, Walz spoke to conservative voters by emphasizing his respect for the Second Amendment and asserting, “I am not pro-abortion.”
3. Address Major Concerns: To shift perspectives, candidates must directly tackle the biggest concerns on voters’ minds. For Vance, his toughest moment came when discussing January 6th. For Walz, the challenge lies in clearly explaining how he and Kamala Harris plan to address economic issues, especially inflation.
4. Focus on Relevant Issues: Voters wanted more detailed discussions on the current strikes and their broader impacts, relations with Iran and Israel, climate change, and cost of living concerns. With significant challenges facing the nation, voters were disappointed that moderators didn’t push the candidates to address these pressing topics more thoroughly.
5. Effective Storytelling: While storytelling can create a connection with voters, there is a fine line between relatable anecdotes and contrived narratives. Vance’s attempts to connect with voters through personal stories—about his Appalachian roots and family struggles—felt a bit forced to some, echoing Kamala Harris’s often-criticized narrative about her middle-class upbringing. Stories work best when they connect to relevant issues instead of serving as a distraction from answering tough questions.

Despite various pundits highlighting the strengths of the two vice presidential candidates, Tuesday night’s debate ultimately had little impact on undecided voters. While Walz’s performance had its successes, his nervous start and notable gaffes left much to be desired. In the end, both candidates offered a little something for everyone—but for those still weighing their options, there were no compelling reasons to change their minds. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

As we approach the final stretch of the presidential election, the challenge for both candidates and their running mates is clear: how can they win over undecided voters in just 33 days? The answer lies in two crucial areas:

First, they must instill confidence in their ability to combat inflation and the rising cost of living 

Given the current economic climate, this task may be easier for former President Donald Trump, especially in light of the anticipated repercussions from the port strike and escalating energy prices due to turmoil in the Middle East.

Second, they need to provide reassurance that tomorrow is going to be better than today

That there is a leader in office who has their backs.  Voters are understandably anxious about the future, and both candidates have already tapped into this concern—Vice President Kamala Harris and Walz highlighting the threats to democracy and Trump and Vance focused on the difficulties we face with the economy and immigration. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Yet, what Americans urgently need now is assurance: a promise that if they cast their vote for the right candidate, life will improve once again. In turbulent times marked by international conflicts, rising prices, and the aftermath of natural disasters, that message of hope and stability is not just important; it is essential. 

As the clock ticks down to Election Day, the ability to inspire confidence and reassure voters will determine the next leader of this nation.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM LEE HARTLEY CARTER

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) on Thursday said it would remain neutral in this year’s presidential race, electing not to endorse a candidate, becoming the second major union to do so in recent weeks.

The union’s executive board backed President Biden’s 2020 White House bid. In a statement, IAFF President Edward Kelly said the union membership voted by a margin of 1.2 percentage points not to endorse either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Trump.

“Over the past year, the IAFF took unprecedented steps to hear our members’ views on the candidates and the policy issues that matter most to them,” Kelly said of the decision.

“As we have over our 106-year history, the IAFF will continue its work to improve the lives of firefighters and their families,” he added. “The IAFF Executive Board determined that we are better able to advocate for our members and make progress on the issues that matter to them if we, as a union, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder. This decision, which we took very seriously, is the best way to preserve and strengthen our unity.”

2024 SHOCKER: WHY THE TEAMSTERS STAYED NEUTRAL IN THE HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Harris and Trump campaigns. 

The decision by the IAFF came weeks after the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it would not endorse a candidate either. 

WHY HARRIS CHARGED TRUMP’S ‘ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOSERS’

The Teamsters posted the results of internal polling on the 2024 candidates, showing that the union’s members favored Trump by 59.6% over Harris, who received 34% in an online survey. In a phone survey, Teamsters favored Trump over Harris, 58% to 31%. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“The union’s extensive member polling showed no majority support for Vice President Harris and no universal support among the membership for President Trump,” the union said at the time. 

The WNBA named Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark the league’s Rookie of the Year for 2024, but it wasn’t a unanimous decision. 

Despite the fact that Clark broke the WNBA’s single-season assist record and rookie scoring record and became the first rookie in history to record a triple-double, only 66 of the 67 voters chose her to win the award. The other voter chose Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, Clark’s longtime rival. 

Reese was a dark horse contender for the honor behind Clark for the first few months of the season. However, her rookie campaign was cut short after having season-ending surgery on her wrist after suffering an injury on Sept. 6. 

Clark widened her lead in nearly every statistical category in the weeks prior to and after Reese’s season ended. On top of that, she led the Fever to the playoffs for the first time in eight years as the team’s leading scorer. 

Reese was only the third-leading scorer on a Chicago team that finished the season with a 13-27 record, the third-worst in the league, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The one statistic where Reese held an edge over Clark was in terms of rebounds, with more than twice as many rebounds per game at 13.1, compared to Clark’s 5.7. Reese has a natural height advantage at 6-foot-3, compared to Clark at 6-foot-0.

But Clark held advantages in terms of points with 19.2 to Reese’s 13.6 per game, assists with 8.4 to Reese’s 1.9 and even blocks with 0.7 to Reese’s 0.5, despite the height disadvantage. 

Like Clark, Reese also broke a landmark WNBA single-season record during her rookie year, breaking the single-season record for rebounds during a game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sept. 2 with 418 on the year. But unlike Clark, Reese did not hold that record by the end of the season. After Reese’s season-ending surgery, MVP A’ja Wilson broke Reese’s record in the final week of the season, when Wilson recorded her 419th rebound.

However, despite the statistical discrepancies between Clark and Reese, the Sky rookie had her passionate supporters this year who argued her case over Clark. 

Former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah, who was a 6-foot-11 center who also specialized in rebounding and dominating in the paint, told Fox News Digital that he would vote for Reese over Clark for Rookie of the Year if he had a say during an interview at NBA Night at the Emirates Suite at the U.S. Open in early September. 

INSIDE CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE’S IMPACT ON MEN’S BASKETBALL

“I would say Angel Reese,” Noah said. “When I look at her play, she reminds me a lot of myself.”

In head-to-head matchups this year, the Fever beat the Sky three out of four times. In two of those contests, Reese put up more points than Clark, while pulling down more rebounds than Clark in all four meetings. Clark registered more assists in all four meetings. 

Reese’s height advantage over Clark has resulted in the Sky rookie having stronger finishes in the paint, and a few very physical blocks and block attempts. Some instances have also resulted in some hard fouls being called against Reese for her defense on Clark. In a game on June 16, Clark was going in for a layup and Reese didn’t quite have the wingspan to block the shot, but got a flagrant 1 when she hit Clark in the head from above instead. 

Reese’s reputation and personality, compared to Clark, have also garnered a passionate following, albeit a smaller one than Clark’s when accounting for attendance and TV viewership figures. 

Rutgers freshman men’s basketball player Ace Bailey, the No. 3-ranked recruit in the nation this year, told Fox News Digital at his team’s media day on Sept. 24 that he would choose to pursue Reese for advice instead of Clark if he could only talk to one women’s basketball star. 

“I would probably talk to Angel Reese, her competitiveness for sure, what keeps her driving,” Bailey said. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Reese and Clark’s reputations, fan bases and longstanding rivalry have been tied to their respective races dating back to their most famous meeting in the 2023 NCAA women’s national championship game. Reese and LSU defeated Clark and Iowa, and Reese pointed to her finger to boast in a viral moment that garnered intense backlash and support. 

Reese said it was a moment that “changed her life forever” during the first episode of her podcast “Unapolagetically Angel,” when she accused Clark’s fans of racism, death threats and even sending explicit AI images of her to family members. 

“I think it’s really just the fans, her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, that are really just, they ride for her, and I respect that, respectfully. But sometimes it’s very disrespectful. I think there’s a lot of racism when it comes to it,” Reese said. 

Sydney Sweeney has been working her entire life to become a successful actress, but lately she’s discovered the darker side of fame, with the paparazzi increasingly obsessed with getting a shot of Hollywood’s “It” girl.

The “Anyone But You” star told Glamour in a recent interview photographers showed up at her new Florida home while she was there with her family and yelled at them to force her to come out in a bikini for a photo.  

“They said, ‘If you tell her to just come outside in a bikini, I’ll take pictures and then I’ll leave you alone,’” the 27-year-old told Glamour. 

To make it even worse, Sweeney said people on social media suggested she called the paparazzi. 

SYDNEY SWEENEY WANTS TO ‘PUSH THE BOUNDARIES’ IN ACTING, DOESN’T LIKE TO REHEARSE

“Why would I call the paparazzi to take pictures of me at my own house when my baby cousins and family are there and I’m in my backyard? Why would I ever want that?” she told the magazine. 

She added that she has photos of paparazzi in “kayaks hiding in bushes in the ocean. They got there at 8 a.m. and wouldn’t leave until 4 p.m. I should be able to be in my home and feel comfortable and safe.”

And it’s not just the paparazzi.

“When those photos go out, then my actual safety is at risk.”

— Sydney Sweeney

“When those photos go out, then my actual safety is at risk,” she said of paparazzi photos of her at home. “Everyone knows where I am. Now there’s boats that go by, and I literally hear them say, ‘This is Sydney Sweeney’s house.’ It becomes a star tour in my front yard.”

Sweeney is notoriously private. Most of her friends are from her childhood, and she keeps her engagement with businessman Jonathan Davino so low-key that fans basically forgot about him when she and “Anyone But You” co-star Glen Powell were swept up in false dating rumors. 

“I have my family, and my cousins are my best friends,” Sweeney said. “I have my team and a handful of best friends. It’s very small.”

She added that “most of them — actually, all of them — are not in the industry,” except for “Euphoria” co-star Maude Apatow. 

“It’s a very lonely industry,” she added. 

Elsewhere in the interview, Sweeney discussed the struggles she went through before she made it in the industry, including severe bullying at school, her parents losing “everything” while driving back and forth from her Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho home to LA to help her audition for roles as a teen and her parents’ divorce. 

“There was a moment where I stopped wanting to go home, which made me really sad because I felt like a failure,” she revealed. “I knew that I could never actually fail because, I mean, on a very broad scale, my family did lose everything. 

“They did get a divorce. Whether or not that was because of coming here, it definitely was a catalyst for it. So, I knew I had to succeed in some capacity so that it wasn’t for nothing.”

And when it comes to the obsession with her body in the media, Sweeney says she’s trying to embrace it. 

She said it “means a lot to her” that fans have reached out to say that they feel more comfortable with their own bodies “because I really believe in empowering others and feeling powerful with your body and embracing your sexuality.” 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“And if you have boobs, great. Flaunt them,” she added, joking that her grandparents claim she has the “best t— in Hollywood.”