# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 3: Neglect or refusal to exercise authority to suppress assembly

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S3

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 3
- **Heading:** Neglect or refusal to exercise authority to suppress assembly
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part IV / Title I / Chapter 269 / Section 3

## Text

Section 3. A mayor, alderman, selectman, justice of the peace, sheriff or deputy sheriff who, having notice of any such riotous or tumultuous and unlawful assembly in the city or town where he lives, neglects or refuses immediately to proceed to the place of such assembly, or as near thereto as he can with safety, or omits or neglects to exercise the authority conferred upon him by this chapter for suppressing such assembly and for arresting the offenders, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars.

Section 3. A mayor, alderman, selectman, justice of the peace, sheriff or deputy sheriff who, having notice of any such riotous or tumultuous and unlawful assembly in the city or town where he lives, neglects or refuses immediately to proceed to the place of such assembly, or as near thereto as he can with safety, or omits or neglects to exercise the authority conferred upon him by this chapter for suppressing such assembly and for arresting the offenders, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 1 Dispensing and suppressing unlawful assembly; arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 2 Refusing or neglecting to depart or to assist in suppressing assembly or in arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 3 Neglect or refusal to exercise authority to suppress assembly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 4 Requiring aid; dispersing and suppressing assembly; seizure of persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 5 Armed forces obeying orders for suppressing riot and dispersing and arresting persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 6 Person killed or wounded as result of an assembly; guilt and responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 7 Injury to building or vessel by persons unlawfully assembled](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 8 Destruction of or damage to property by persons riotously assembled; liability of town](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10 Carrying dangerous weapons; possession of machine gun or sawed-off shotguns; possession of large capacity weapon or large capacity feeding device; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10A Selling, giving or using silencers; confiscation and destruction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10C Tear gas; use in commission of crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10D Body armor; use in commission of crime](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10E Firearms sales, distributions or transfers; penalties; eligibility for probation, parole, furlough or work release](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10E.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, sec. 10F Illegal sale, gifts or transfer of large capacity weapons or large capacity feeding devices; punishment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S10F.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TI_C269_S3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.