Rhode Island Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Assault Weapons Ban
Providence, R.I. – On March 5, 2024, gun reform advocates presented compelling testimony to Rhode Island lawmakers, urging the passage of two significant pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing public safety: a statewide assault weapons ban and stricter firearm storage requirements.
Rev. Canon Dr. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island shared personal experiences to underscore the urgency of the proposed measures. She recounted incidents involving gun violence within her community, emphasizing that such tragedies have become disturbingly common in America. "None of these were headlines because in America, stories like these are just another Tuesday," she remarked. (wpri.com)
Angela Howard-McParland of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas highlighted the critical role of secure firearm storage in preventing gun-related incidents. She cited statistics indicating that access to an unsecured firearm triples a person’s risk of suicide and doubles the risk of homicide. Additionally, nearly 70% of firearms used in school mass shootings originate from unsecured homes.
Conversely, Brenda Jacob of the Rhode Island Revolver and Rifle Association expressed strong opposition to the proposed legislation. She argued that the bills would render law-abiding citizens defenseless and questioned the feasibility of enforcing secure storage requirements. Jacob pointed to instances where gun owners successfully defended themselves from robbery, suggesting that the legislation could hinder self-defense capabilities.
Advocates for the legislation countered that the right to own firearms should not supersede the rights of non-owners to safety and security. Rev. Elizabeth Lerner Maclay of the First Unitarian Church of Providence stated, "We are not willing to wait for the mass deaths of our children, our congregants, our families, our people, to pass this legislation."
Governor Dan McKee has previously expressed support for an assault weapons ban, but the legislation must still navigate the Rhode Island General Assembly before becoming law.
Rhode Island Advances Assault Weapons Ban Legislation:
- ‘Let’s finally get this done’: McKee rallies support for assault weapons ban | WPRI.com
- McKee, state leaders introduce assault weapons ban bill | WPRI.com
- 3 gun control measures pass RI Senate, head to governor | AP News
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