Rhode Island: House Committee Will Hear Over a Dozen Gun Bills Tuesday Night

On Tuesday, April 24, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a marathon hearing on several anti-gun bills.  The vast majority of these bills are recycled bills which have failed in previous sessions.  Despite having some of the toughest gun laws in the country, groups funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have placed a bullseye on the Ocean State and are aggressively pushing their political agenda in Providence. 

The hearing will begin at the rise of the House on Tuesday, or roughly 4:30 p.m., in the House Lounge of the Statehouse.  Gun owners will need to make a strong showing to demonstrate the committed opposition to these dangerous bills.

Some of the more egregious bills are:

H.5155, sponsored by Rep. Aaron Regenberg, would ban magazines holding more than 10 rounds.

H.5262, sponsored by Rep. Grace Diaz, makes it unlawful to carry a rifle or shotgun in a vehicle, except under limited circumstances and enhances the penalty to anyone who transfers a firearm to a minor which is then used in a crime of violence.

H.5263, also sponsored by Rep. Grace Diaz, restricts youth possession of firearms.  This bill is similar to legislation which has been introduced for over a decade.  While purporting to address gang violence, this bill would do nothing more than place young hunters and competitive shooters in jeopardy of prosecution.

H.5345, sponsored by Rep. Katherine Kazarian, would prevent anyone other than law enforcement from carrying on school properties.  There is currently no such prohibition in Rhode Island, and there is also no evidence that there has been a problem with this Rhode Island law.  However, gun control extremists are pressing hard to create yet another “gun-free” zone which does nothing except empower criminals.

H.5547, sponsored by Rep. Grace Williams, is another minor possession bill which would have a negative impact on youth hunters and competitive shooters.   

H.5866, sponsored by Rep. Daniel McKiernan, would set mandatory minimums for “defacing” a firearm.  Unfortunately, the bill has several problems and could leave someone with a damaged firearm susceptible to prosecution. 

The committee will also hear a handful of pro-gun bills:

H.5546, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Casey, would direct the Attorney General to report the disposition of gun cases to the General Assembly on a yearly basis.

H.6039, sponsored by Rep. John Edwards, is a concealed carry reform bill.  The bill contains several provisions including a public records provision, an appeals process for denials and ending the 7-day waiting period on AG-issued permits.

H.6040, sponsored by Rep. John Edwards, would give the Attorney General the authority to enter reciprocity agreements with other states.

Your immediate action is required! Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectfully ask them to vote no on all gun control bills and kindly request support for pro-gun legislation.