Fighting to Reduce Gun Violence in Rhode Island
Our coalition of more than 100 partner organizations includes over 120,000 Rhode Islanders united in the effort to reduce gun violence.
Legislative Agenda
We’re working hard to pass common sense legislation to help keep Rhode Island citizens and law enforcement officers safer.
Safe Schools Act
Keeping kids and teachers safe by prohibiting guns on all school grounds with sensible exceptions.
No Large Capacity Mags
Making it harder for mass killers limiting ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds.
Assault Weapon Regulation
Stepping in where the federal government has failed to regulate military-style assault weapons.
Gun Control IS Constitutional
In 2008, District of Columbia v. Heller affirmed:
“the [Second Amendment] right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
Using Heller v. DC, six U.S. Courts of Appeal have REJECTED Second Amendment protection for state assault weapons and/or high capacity magazine bans, most recently in Massachusetts on April 26, 2019!
Rhode Islanders Are Not Fooled By Propaganda
The corporate gun lobby would have everyone believe that even the most sensible gun regulation represents a direct attack on the Second Amendment. Rhode Islanders know better, favoring gun violence reduction laws that are in line with academic and law enforcement recommendations and also respecting Second Amendment rights.
83% In Favor
Restricting guns on all elementary and secondary school grounds except by police, retired police, and resource officers.
Concealed Carry Permit (CCP) holders cannot be counted on to save lives and often put themselves and others in danger when they attempt to confront an active shooter.
- The large majority of CCP holders do not have specialized “shoot/don’t shoot” training
- Since 2007 at least 921 non-self defense gun deaths have been caused by CCP holders
75% in Favor
Banning high capacity magazines with more than 10 rounds (the weapon on choice for mass shootings).
Local, state and national law enforcement are strongly against high capacity magazines (HCM), citing increased shootings and deaths being committed by individuals using HCM.
In addition, most of the recent mass shootings used HCMs that allowed the firing hundreds of bullets in minutes, including:
- Las Vegas concert
- Orlando night club
- San Bernardino holiday party
- Sandy Hook Elementary School
Recent Gun Violence News, Politics, Incidents and Statistics
15 Representatives on the Fence
The Safe Schools Act and the Assault Weapons Ban are in Jeopardy
Dramatic Rise of Assault Weapons and High Capacity Firearms in Crime
An updated examination of resources reveals dramatic increase in the use of high capacity semiautomatic weapons in crimes overall.
Teacher Fires Gun in Georgia High School Classroom
School goes into lockdown when a teacher, with no indication of being troubled or unfit for his job, fires a gun on campus.
Maine Voices: Speaking Out for Common Sense Gun Control
A timely and informative piece from Maine about Second Amendment myths.
Mass Shooting at High School in Florida Kills 17, Injuries More than 14
A former student kills 17 and injures more than 14 with assault-style weapons.
American Gun Ownership Correlates with High Gun Violence and Deaths
Data shows the strong correlation of gun ownership and gun violence and death in America, and it far exceeds all other wealthy nations.
Concealed Carry of Firearms: Facts vs. Fiction – John Hopkins University, November 2017
2017 study shows 11 to 14% higher violent crime rates by years 7 through 10 following the adoption of Right to Carry laws.
5 dead, 10 injured in Rancho Tehama Elementary School shooting
A two-day killing spree in a rural Northern California town that included the wounding of 6 children.
More Than 2 Dozen Killed in Texas Church by Gunman
The killer used a military-style assault rifle, a Ruger’s AR-15, and was clad in a ballistic (bullet-proof) vest.
Higher Murder Rates with Easy Concealed Carry Laws
Significant increases in firearm-related homocides in states with easy CCP laws have been documented in an October 2017 study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
59 Dead, Over 500 Injured in Las Vegas Mass Shooting
The shooter maximized his killing ability by using easily accessible weapons that allow the firing of hundreds of rounds in minutes.
Firearm Deaths Now Neck-in-Neck with Motor Vehicle Deaths
Automotive deaths have dramatically decreased thanks to research-backed public policy initiatives, but gun deaths have been steadily increasing.
Recent News About Gun Violence and Safety Reform in R.I. and the U.S.
House Judiciary Committee Members 2019
RI House Judiciary Committee The first step to enacting sensible gun safety reforms in 2019. Enter your address to find your lawmakers. If your lawmakers have Co-Sponsored sensible gun bills, recognize their support with a "thank you" by email or social media, give...
Thanks for Signing!
Thanks for Signing! We can't do it without folks like you 🙂 RECENT NEWS AND EVENTS
17 R.I. Student Actions Since Parkland
Students across RI have been diligently advocating for sensible gun safety reform since the Parkland shooting.
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