A pair of gun bills which were introduced and heard earlier in the session are back. Although they were held for “further study,” the bills are on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda next week. When bills are brought back this late in the session, it’s usually an indication that lawmakers intend to pass them. Therefore, it’s absolutely imperative that you make your voice heard and object to these bad bills.
S.84 by Sen. Cynthia Coyne is up for consideration on Tuesday, May 28, upon rise of the Senate. This bill would ban 3-D printed guns. However, S.84 is so poorly written that it confuses “undetectable” firearms with 3D printed guns. Federal law has banned undetectable firearms for over 30 years, and this bill is wholly unnecessary. This bill is worse, however, in that it could easily ban firearms made from metal or even metal parts and accessories.
S.595 by Sen. Donna Nesselbush will be up for consideration on Thursday, May 30, upon rise of the Senate. This bill requires gun dealers to submit firearm transfer reports to the state police on a monthly basis. Despite attempting to give the appearance that the bill is not creating a gun registry, that is exactly the intended purpose. Gun registration is explicitly prohibited by the Rhode Island State Constitution. Aside from the constitutional problems created by this legislation, it would appear that it also places new mandates on gun dealers which are little more than added bureaucratic red tape.
Please contact members of the Senate Judiciary Committee immediately and respectfully ask them to oppose both S.84 and S.595.
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