To the Editor,
As a Rhode Island voter and taxpayer, I am utterly bewildered over the lack of legislative action on the Secure Storage bill, “held for further study” last year, and …
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To the Editor,
As a Rhode Island voter and taxpayer, I am utterly bewildered over the lack of legislative action on the Secure Storage bill, “held for further study” last year, and the Assault Weapons bill, “held for further study” for the past eleven years. Both bills have been reintroduced to the RI Senate and House this legislative session. The House will take up these bills first with a hearing scheduled for March 13, 2024, at 3:00 pm at the State House.
For over a decade, multitudes of Rhode Islanders have testified before the House Judiciary Committee in favor of an Assault Weapons bill. Police officers, elected officials, victims, and witnesses of gun violence have told their stories and expressed support for common sense gun legislation such as the Assault Weapons bill and the Secure Storage bill. Last year, RI State Police reported a 41% increase in gun violence. At least four recent crimes in RI involving assault style weapons and/or large capacity magazines have been reported by local news outlets. Currently, the Assault Weapons bill has 37 cosponsors in the House and eight members of the House Judiciary Committee (a majority) have their names listed on the bill. MA, NY, and CT have passed Assault Weapons bills, which undoubtedly protect RI citizens. Inexplicably, House Leadership has denied our elected representatives the same opportunity by refusing to hold a vote on both bills.
Leader Shekarchi wrote in his January 2024, Op Ed in the Providence Journal that he is, “Proud of the transparency with which the House operates”. Over 70% of Rhode Islanders support an Assault Weapons bill, yet it has been “held for further study” for 11 years without explanation. That is not my understanding of transparency. Refusing to hold a vote on these bills hides information from voters that they deserve. If Leader Shekarchi truly believes in transparency, then he must allow a vote. This is the only way for Rhode Islanders to know where each representative stands on gun violence and issues of public safety. Please join me in calling, emailing, or writing your representative, and Leader Shekarchi, to demand a vote on the Secure Storage bill (7373) as well as the Assault Weapons bill (7217). The public is also welcome to attend the hearing on March 13th.
Thank you!
Sherri Simmons
Pawtucket
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waltmag
Allow vote on assault weapons in R.I.
I would like to quote the Late Adlai Stevenson in relation to a vote on assault weapons in R.I. and the BS about openess in the House. This was spoken at the UN General Assembly in response to the Russians denial of placing Nuclear Weapons in Cuba debate. I quote I am prepared to wait until hell freezes over for an answer to my question. So am I when it comes to an answer about Assault Weapons being banned or even voted on in the R.I. House.
W. Amoroso
Warwick.
Tuesday, April 2 Report this
waltmag
Allow vote on assault weapons in R.I.
I would like to quote the Late Adlai Stevenson in relation to a vote on assault weapons in R.I. and the BS about openess in the House. This was spoken at the UN General Assembly in response to the Russians denial of placing Nuclear Weapons in Cuba debate. I quote I am prepared to wait until hell freezes over for an answer to my question. So am I when it comes to an answer about Assault Weapons being banned or even voted on in the R.I. House.
W. Amoroso
Warwick.
Tuesday, April 2 Report this