So first of all not felons. Criminals yes, not felons. You have to be convicted to be a felon and that hasn't happened (yet.)
With that said did you explain to them why they're wrong? It's very simple:
- Chapter 140, Section 121 defines what an "assault weapon" is. Under previous interpretations going as far back as the 1994 federal AWB it was assumed that certain things were legal based on that law. The AG office's new guidance has since made it clear that the guns we all thought were legal are, in her opinion and according to her guidance, not.
- Thousands of Massachusetts Citizens still own rifles that everyone (including previous Attorneys General) previously understood to be compliant. We remain in possession of those rifles, which according the the AGO's guidance are now considered assault weapons under Section 121.
- Chapter 140 Section 131M it is illegal for you to possess an assault weapon as defined in Section 121.
So in a nutshell, the AG's guidance says the rifles are illegal under section 121. We still own the rifles, which is a crime under section 131M. Ergo, the AGO has made us all criminals.
The AGO has indicated that she won't seek individual prosecutions for those of us who owned them prior to 7/20 at this time, but regardless of that weak promise we're still on the wrong side of the law due to the AGO's reckless actions. It also doesn't address ownership after 7/20. In short this is a legislative emergency that requires immediate attention.