The Time for Action on Gun Control in Rhode Island is NOW!

ACT TODAY on GUN LEGISLATION in RHODE ISLAND

In view of the horrific massacre in Orlando, the League asks all Rhode Islanders to contact your legislators today to demand a vote on the bills presented this year that would help to control rampant gun violence.  The LWVRI has testified this year in support of HB 7199 and SB 2835 which would ban high capacity magazines over 10 rounds; on HB 7283 and SB 2730 to keep guns away from domestic violence abusers; and on  HB 7243 and  SB 2761 that would restrict concealed firearms on K-12 School grounds to law enforcement personnel.

Many states including Massachusetts and Connecticut have laws to prevent domestic violence abusers from access to guns. Many States including Massachusetts and Connecticut have banned high capacity magazines. Almost every state including Massachusetts and Connecticut does not allow  concealed carry of firearms on K-12 School property. This is the third year in a row, since the Sandy Hook massacre, that these bills  are being “held for further study” here in Rhode Island.  We urge the Governor, the Speaker and the Senate President to do everything necessary to have these bills voted out of committee.  It is time for the Judiciary Committees to stop hiding behind a pretext of study. In a recent poll, the vast majority of Rhode Islanders said they want a vote.  It is time to respect not only their wishes but their health and safety as well.  We want a vote.

The League of Women Voters of Rhode Island is a member of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence,  an organization that was created by concerned citizens of Rhode Island  in 2013 after the Rhode Island General .Assembly failed to pass common sense gun legislation. With the coalition, we recognize gun violence as a public health issue. Using common sense means and methods, we seek to reduce injuries and deaths from gun violence.

The time to act is now.  Please do your part by contacting your legislators today, before they adjourn without doing anything for another year.

To contact your senator visit this page on the RI government site; for your Assembly person, go here. You can also contact  Senator President Paiva Weed (sen-paivaweed@rilegislature.gov) and Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello (rep-mattiello@rilegislature.gov).

March 22 Legislative Hearings: Focus on Gun Safety

This Week’s Hearings: A Busy Time for Gun Safety

On Tuesday, March 22, the House Judiciary Committee will be hearing most of the bills introduced this session related to gun safety.  The LWVRI position on gun safety is based on that of the LWVUS, as follows:

The LWVUS believes that the proliferation of handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons in the US is a major health and safety threat to its citizens.  The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate theo ownership of these weapons by private citizens.  The Leagues supports regulating firearms for consumer safety.  The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal.  The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification.  The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers. (Adopted by 1990 LWVUS Convention and amended by 1994 and 1998 Conventions.)

The League will testify in SUPPORT of

House Bill No. 7243  SUPPORT

BY Ajello, Tanzi, Handy, Amore, Almeida

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS {LC3675/1}

(Provides that only peace officers and persons approved by the school authorities for the purposes of educational instruction officers may carry firearms or other weapons on school grounds.)

House Bill No. 7283 SUPPORT

BY Amore, Lombardi, Ajello, Regunberg, Blazejewski

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS {LC3793/1}

(Prohibits any person convicted of a misdemeanor offense under §12-29-2 (a crime involving domestic violence) from purchasing, owning, transporting, carrying, or possessing any firearm.)

House Bill No. 7575 SUPPORT

BY Tanzi, Fogarty, Carson, Ruggiero, Maldonado

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS--THE PROTECTRHODE ISLAND FAMILIES ACT {LC4631/1} (Requires the surrender of firearms to law enforcement agencies after conviction of certain domestic violence offenses.)

House Bill No. 7199  SUPPORT

BY Regunberg, Carson, Ajello, Handy, Almeida

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS {LC3670/1}

(Criminalizes the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten (10) rounds.)

House Bill No. 7850  SUPPORT

(Attorney General) by Diaz, Shekarchi, Almeida, Maldonado

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS {LC4003/1}

(Makes it unlawful to carry a rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or on one's person, visible or concealed, except at one's residence, place of business or land.  This subsection shall not apply to those persons engaged in lawful hunting activity as   provided in chapter 13 of title 20, lawful target shooting within this state or lawfully engaged in any of the activities authorized by §11-47-9.)

House Bill no. 7853  SUPPORT 

Attorney General BY Johnston, Canario

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS {LC4007/1}

(Provides that no person, entity, or dealer shall sell, loan, transfer or acquire a firearm from any person, entity or dealer with the intent to avoid the application/disclosure process required by

§§11-47-35 or 11-47-35.2.)

Based on our position above, the League will oppose:

House Bill No. 7093  OPPOSE

BY Fellela, Carnevale, Costa, Ucci

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS {LC3503/1}

(Provides for automatic renewal of a gun permit or license.)

House Bill No. 7541  OPPOSE

BY Ucci, Chippendale, Nardolillo, Price, Corvese

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS {LC4665/1}

(Allows individuals with concealed carry permits issued by Massachusetts, Connecticut and any other state with a live fire requirement to carry concealed firearms within this state.)

House Bill No. 7680  OPPOSE

BY Nardolillo, Chippendale, Price, Roberts

ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - SECOND

AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT {LC4764/1} (Prohibits the use of state funds, personnel or property in the enforcement of federal firearms laws or regulations.)

Take ACTION!

The most effective way you can support or oppose these bills is to CALL the office of your legislator and/or the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Cale Keable.

Here are the members of the Judiciary Committee

Representative Edith H. Ajello:   rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov

Representative Joseph S. Almeida:   rep-almeida@rilegislature.gov

Representative Christopher R. Blazejewski:   rep-blazejewski@rilegislature.gov

Representative Dennis M. Canario:   rep-canario@rilegislature.gov

Representative Doreen Marie Costa, Vice Chairperson:   rep-costa@rilegislature.gov

 Representative David A. Coughlin, Jr.:   rep-coughlin@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr.:   rep-craven@rilegislature.gov

 Representative John G. Edwards:   rep-edwards@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Blake A. Filippi:   rep-filippi@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Cale P. Keable, Chairperson:   rep-keable@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Carol Hagan McEntee:   rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov

 Representative Jeremiah T. O'Grady:   rep-ogrady@rilegislature.gov