PAWTUCKET MASS SHOOTING
Our hearts are broken again with the mass shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket that left three community members dead and three injured. No child, parent, coach, referee, fan, or staff member should ever have to fear for their life at a local youth sporting event. No one. This is UNACCEPTABLE.
Community spaces—especially those centered around children—should be safe. When guns enter these spaces, lives are put at risk, and families are left shaken. We are deeply grateful to the unarmed brave bystander who was able to slow the shooter, likely saving lives in the process, as well as to the first responders.
When a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, the risk of homicide increases 5x. The presence of guns in this complex situation has led to deep trauma, injuries, and heart-wrenching deaths, the effects of which ripple out across the broader community.
As we mourn for the lives taken, the injured fighting for their lives, and all traumatized by this deadly shooting, we are reminded, “There will be loud, simplistic arguments…about identity, politics, and blame–arguments that flatten a complex, painful reality into something people can weaponize…tragedies like this are not puzzles that can be solved by finding the most convenient villain,” as stated by Dan McGowan.
Support resources across the state are available, and we will help share them.
We continue to work from a place of love to do all that we can to decrease gun violence in RI. Join us.
Our mission to decrease gun violence is more urgent than ever; our collective power comes from being organized. We need strong, comprehensive gun safety laws at every level of government, and we need them now. Action is the only path forward.
WE’RE HIRING:
RICAGV Opens Search for Executive Director
Lead our team! The Executive Director is responsible for growing our movement and supporter base and for increasing engagement and the ability to bring grassroots support to the State House and executive branch by organizing campaigns and strategies that build power, leadership, and civic engagement while strengthening partnerships and representing communities most impacted by gun violence. CLICK HERE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
5 WAYS TO ACT TODAY
DONATE. Every dollar will help us hire a new Executive Director, which is so important as we head into the legislative session. We are mostly volunteers. If everyone contributes an amount they can afford, we will be stronger and more prepared for the work ahead.
VOLUNTEER. Stay tuned for details on our first organizing meeting of 2026! Email Board Chair Ariana Wohl at admin@ricagv.org with any questions or ideas.
FOLLOW & SHARE. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook and share our content. Forward this message to a friend! Invite others to sign up for our eblasts by clicking right here:
SPEAK OUT. Contact your legislators and other elected officials and tell them that gun safety matters to you!
We are so thankful for your continued support in building the pipeline of gun violence prevention, including helping to pass 10 lifesaving bills since 2013.
YOUR advocacy and support have contributed to these successes, and for that, we are very grateful.
We could not do this critical work without you. YOU give us so much HOPE, today and throughout the year.
With deep gratitude and love,
The RICAGV Board of Directors