Gov. Maura Healey issued a formal commendation to a Cape Cod gun store owner who is leading a campaign to repeal a firearms reform law only a week after she effectively stifled an attempt to immediately suspend the statute until the 2026 elections.

Toby Leary, owner of Cape Gun Works and head of the Civil Rights Coalition, received a formal citation in the mail Wednesday that recognized his “dedication to ensuring the rights and liberties of Massachusetts citizens are always preserved,” according to photos of the document provided to the Herald that were confirmed by the Governor’s Office.

“We commend you for your tireless commitment and compassion for the people of Massachusetts,” the citation said. “The commonwealth thanks you.”

The document, which bears the signatures of both Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, is dated Oct. 1 while the envelope it arrived in is stamped Oct. 7, according to the photos provided to the Herald.

The citation arrived the day after Leary announced that the campaign to repeal the gun law secured more than 90,000 signatures, well over the amount necessary to place a referendum on the statute before voters during the 2026 elections.

In an interview with the Herald Wednesday, Leary said he was surprised when the citation arrived and had several theories, including a thought that it might be an “expert-level troll.”

“I mean, you should have seen my face when I got it,” he said. “The irony of it is she’s acknowledging that I’m doing tireless work to preserve the rights of the people, which is literally the opposite of what she is doing, the Legislature is doing.”

At an unrelated event Wednesday afternoon, Healey said a person requested the citation, her constituent services office fulfilled the order, and a staff member in the constituent services office drafted the language.

“We’re in office for everyone. When constituent services receives a request, we honor those,” she told reporters while walking to her State House office. “I’m governor for everybody. I respect people’s opinions and views. I respect the Second Amendment, and I am somebody who as governor believes deeply in freedom and protecting freedoms and liberties.”

Anyone can request a citation from Healey through a publicly available form on the state of Massachusetts’ website. Requests must be made at least 20 days before the print or event deadline.

Citations are issued for birthdays over 65, couples celebrating their 50th or later wedding anniversary, and retirements, including from military services, according to the state’s website. Citations can also be granted for “outstanding services or deeds” and “award recognition,” both of which are “subject to review,” the state’s website said.

A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately tell the Herald who requested the citation for Leary.

Healey, who said she does not own a firearm nor possess a license to carry but has shot a weapon, last week beat back an attempt by Leary and his supporters to suspend the wide-ranging gun law by declaring the measure an emergency statute.

It was a move that enraged members of the Second Amendment community, including Leary, who have decried the gun law that Beacon Hill Democrats approved and Healey signed over the summer.

Gun reform advocates, meanwhile, commended the governor for implementing the law before its original effective date, arguing the decision would lead to safer communities and less gun violence.

Citation aside, Leary said the effort to overturn the law is serious because of what is at stake for owners of firearms and gun shops.

“Maybe she’s had some remorse for doing what she did, especially after seeing the amount of people we have who have signed (onto the repeal campaign),” Leary said.

Gov. Maura Healey’s office issued a citation to Toby Leary, a Cape Cod gun store owner and head of an effort to repeal a new firearms law in Massachusetts. (Courtesy of Toby Leary)