Special "firearms session" for gun cases being set-up at Springfield District Court

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Gun crimes in Springfield and two surrounding towns will now all be handled separately in a new session just announced by District Attorney Mark Mastroianni.

Starting on Friday, all firearms cases brought to Springfield District Court will now go through a special firearms session, in which cases will be heard on specific dates by judge designated to hear gun cases.

The idea of creating a specific “ gun court” has been discussed multiple times in Springfield in recent years, including in the 2010 race for District Attorney. Such specific courts and special sessions for gun cases exist in several other communities in Massachusetts and other states.

“This session is being created in an effort to streamline, consolidate, and coordinate cases involving firearms and better track them through the Criminal Justice System,” reads a news release sent to 22News by Mastroianni’s office.

“Gun-related crime and illegal possession of firearms are significant public safety issues that must be effectively dealt with. The Springfield Police took a total of 231 guns off the street in 2012.”

The session would receive all gun-related cases after arraignment, and from there they will be processed through pre-trial matters and eventually to trial.

Springfield District Court handles criminal cases that originate in Springfield, Longmeadow, and West Springfield.