COVID-19 and Guns in Rhode Island
The original surge in NICS – National Instant Criminal Background Check System – for RI from February to March 2020 represented a 132% increase that topped all U.S. states. In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, summer NICS in RI skyrocketed again.
- 42,401 NICS for RI have been reported by the FBI as of 10/31/2020
- This is a 74.21% increase over the 2019 total of 24,338
August 2020
August 7, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends “Uniform Statewide School Calendar” order.
Gov. Raimondo signs order for “School Bus Driver Recertification.”
August 6, 2020
Gov. Raimondo suspends “alcoholic beverage by a licensee for on-premises consumption after 11:00 p.m.”
July 2020
July 31, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends order requiring face masks or cloth face coverings.
July 24, 2020
Officer.com: “Illegal attempts to buy guns skyrocketed when the Coronavirus Pandemic Began.”
July 20, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends “Uniform Statewide School Calendar” and various other COVID executive orders.
July 17, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends Summer Camp restrictions.
July 16, 2020
NPR.org: “Sales of Guns to First Time Owners Rise Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.”
July 15, 2020
Washington Post: “Spike in violent crime follows rise in gun-buying amid social uphealval.”
July 13, 2020
Brookings.edu: “Three million more guns: The Spring 2020 spike in firearm sales.”
July 3, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends Ex. Ord. 20-07 – “Extension of Time for Weapon and Firearm Background Checks,” along with several other COVID executive orders.
July 2, 2020
NRP.org: “Amid Protests and Virus Fears, Firearm Background Checks Hit All-Time High.”
June 2020
June 29, 2020
Gov. Raimondo signs “Phase III Re-Opening,” which eases restrictions on gathering size slightly.
June 22, 2020
Gov. Raimondo signs “Rise Together – First Steps to a More Equitable and Resilient Rhode Island,” which focuses on the removal of the word “Plantations” from the state name.
June 19, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends summer camp restrictions from last month.
June 4, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends indoor and outdoor mask/cloth face covering order.
Gov. Raimondo extends Executive Order 20-07, “Extension of Time for Weapon and Firearm Background Checks,” among several others.
Gov. Raimondo issues an order to suspend the school district requirement to establish a calendar for the school year and “shall issue a uniform, statewide school calender … and thereafter [RIDE] shall amend the calendar as it deems necessary…”
May 2020
May 21, 2020
Gov. Raimondo limits summer camp size and imposes specific health and safety requirements.
May 8, 2020
Gov. Raimondo lifts stay at home order, leaving certain restrictions in place, with limited re-openings with stringent health regulations.
May 6, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends her original Extension of Time for Weapon and Firearm Background Checks, due to the surge in NICS requests from RI Police Chiefs Association.
May 5, 2020
Gov. Raimondo requires masks or face coverings in public places, retail establishments.
April 2020
April 2, 2020
ABC affiliate in N.C. reports FBI background checks in RI up 132%, highest in the U.S.
April 17, 2020
Gov. Raimondo extends executive order for NICS background checks
March 2020
March 9, 2020
Gov. Raimondo declares disaster emergency
March 16, 2020
Boston Globe reporting runs on ammo and big surge in gun sales in West Warwick and Coventry
Gov. Raimondo limits groups to 25 or less
March 17, 2020
WJAR reports huge spike in gun sales in Exeter and Warwick
March 20, 2020
RI Police Chief’s Assoc. asks Gov. to extend background checks due to surge in gun sales
Gov. Raimondo extends timeframe for NICS background checks from 7 to 30 days.
March 21, 2020
Newport Daily News reports big spike in sales at Aquidneck Island gun shops.
March 22, 2020
Gov. Raimondo limits groups to 10
March 24, 2020
WPRI reports big uptick in gun sales in Tiverton, Warwick, Richmond
March 28, 2020
Providence Journal reports first coronavirus death
Gov. Raimondo limits groups to less 5 or less, designates liquor and firearms stores as essential services
February 2020
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