Legislative Steps to Restrict 2A Rights

Barrington, RI: Barbara Holmes, CPA, Chair of the Rhode Island Republican Conservative Caucus reacted today to early-session moves by the state’s General Assembly to curtail gun rights here in the Ocean State. “The pressure on our 2nd Amendment Rights just never stops.” Holmes said in a prepared statement. Her reference was to a spate of ten different proposed Bills this session. Each of these re-draws the lines of firearms rights in a more restrictive manner than current statute.

“Let me highlight just two of these needless, and therefore pointless pieces of legislation.” Chairwoman Holmes continued. First she cited Senate Bill 595. It proposes a new, monthly reporting requirement for all licensed firearms dealers. The new regulation requires dealers to report such data as the Make, Model, and Serial Number of each weapon sold. The proposed new law specifically restricts these reports from containing anything about the identities of the buyer or seller. “So Senator Nesselbush and her cohorts are happy to impose additional costly overhead on both small businesses and the State Police without improving the chances for law enforcement to find any of these guns if they’ve fallen into the wrong hands.” Holmes observed. She termed the Bill just one more instance of the Camel’s Nose finding its way into the tent. “The only way this makes sense.” Holmes emphasized. “Is if a second, even more restrictive shoe will fall shortly after this travesty is enacted.”

Second in the RCC queue for public scrutiny is Senate Bill 156. This proposed change greatly restricts the rights of Rhode Islanders to carry or even transport weapons, with or without a Concealed Carry Permit. It does so by limiting statewide permitting authority to the office of the Attorney General. It further impedes the use of legally owned firearms by including language allowing the Attorney General to issue or not issue at his or her sole discretion. So transporting a legally possessed firearm to the range is no longer a right, although it might be a granted privilege.

“This is all part of a coordinated effort to gradually erode 2nd Amendment Rights in Rhode Island.” Barbara Holmes said, concluding her statement. “It shows that State Government has no faith in the abilities of law abiding citizens, and every voter in the Ocean State should be incensed at the Drip, Drip, Drip subjugation that is inherent in new laws like these.”