Rhode Island: Committee Recommends Two Gun Control Bills for Passage

Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee considered S.2292A and S.2492A, and recommended them for passage.  Both bills will now go to the Senate floor to receive further consideration.  Please contact your state Senator and strongly urge them to OPPOSE S.2292A and S.2492A.

Senate Bill 2292A, sponsored by Senator James Seveney (D-11), would ban certain firearm accessories and impose a $10,000 fine and 10-year prison sentence.  Aside from the harsh penalty for possessing a firearm accessory, the legislation’s language is extremely broad and includes any accessory “which accelerates the rate of fire.”  In other words, this means that common modifications to firearms to make them more suitable for self-defense, target shooting, hunting, and even overcoming disability may be banned, with violations resulting in severe penalties.  This bill is poorly crafted and should be opposed.  The only thing this is going to do is put law-abiding competitive shooters in jeopardy of prosecution.  

Senate Bill 2492A, sponsored by Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D-1), would create broad gun ban powers under the guise of “extreme risk” protection orders.  NRA-ILA strongly believes that dangerous individuals should not have firearms.  However, this “red flag” legislation is an overreach with few legal protections for those who may be falsely accused.   This sweeping legislation would allow almost anyone to have another's guns taken with little or no due process.  The bill allows seizure and forfeiture through ex parte hearings where a respondent isn't given notice and a hearing. 

Again, please click the “Take Action” button above to contact your state Senator and request that they OPPOSE S.2292A and S.2492A.