Gun Owners Group Condemns Superior Court Appointment of Arlington Attorney

BOSTON, MA — Despite heavy pushback from gun rights activists, Arlington resident Christopher Barry-Smith was confirmed Wednesday to become a Massachusetts Superior Court judge, according to multiple reports.

Multiple reports indicate that Barry-Smith was confirmed by a 5-3 vote of the Governor's Council Wednesday. His experience working as Attorney General Maura Healy's first assistant sparked heavy opposition from gun rights activists, following Healey's increased enforcement of a ban on "copycat" weapons.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) of Massachusetts condemned Barry-Smith's appointment of the "anti-civil rights assistant attorney" Barry-Smith.

"The million-dollar question is why would Gov. Baker nominate someone that has a track record of attacking people's second amendment civil rights - and has absolutely no criminal trial experience - to a Superior Court position," said Jim Wallace, Executive Director of GOAL.

Barry-Smith, who currently serves as First Assistant Attorney General for Maura Healy, was nominated by Baker on Oct. 5

The Arlington native graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1988 and in 1993 from William and Mary Law School. He practiced commercial litigation Hanify & King in Boston until he joined the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division in 1997.

Barry-Smith returned to private practice in 1999 at Bromberg & Sunstein where he focused on intellectual property litigation, and rejoined the Attorney General’s Office in 2002.

In a statement Wednesday, Attorney General Maura Healy gave high praise to Barry-Smith.

"For 17 years he has served with great distinction in the Attorney General's Office and his leadership and insight have been invaluable to the legal work we do for the Commonwealth," Healey said in a statement, according to the State House News Service."He is a person of unimpeachable integrity and intellect, whose temperament and judgment will well serve the administration of justice in our courts."

Patch file photo