The resurrected “Assault Weapons” ban we alerted you to last week has unfortunately passed the House and is on its way to the Senate.
We’d like to reiterate that this fight isn’t over yet, and we can’t lay off even for a moment if we expect to hold the line on keeping semi-automatic firearms legal in Rhode Island.
This bill includes much more than just firearm bans. To directly quote House Minority Leader Chippendale’s press release from June 3rd:
“The bill also places an unfunded mandate on local police departments, requiring them to implement a so-called “voluntary certification” program. But let’s be honest – there is nothing voluntary about it. If a citizen is found in possession of a “grandfathered” firearm without this certificate, they will be subject to criminal penalties. That’s not voluntary – that’s coerced compliance.”
It was also brought to our attention through House Minority Leader Chippendale’s testimony, that H 5436 would devastate the sporting clay industry in Rhode Island, as it includes bans on all semi-automatic shotguns with threaded chokes.
Stopping H 5436 will be an immense effort, and we need you to continue hitting the phonelines to DEMAND your legislators stop it from passing.
When speaking to a Senator or their staff, you can say something like this:
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [TOWN/CITY]. I’m a member of Gun Owners of America and a Rhode Island voter and I encourage you to vote NO on H 5436 when it comes up for a vote. Gun Owners of America will keep me informed of how you vote.”
This bill may be called up in the Senate Judiciary Committee before it heads to the floor. The list of committee members can be seen here:
Senator Matthew L. LaMountain – (401) 206-0822
Senator Mark McKenney – (401) 578-6258
Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon – (401) 442-6973
Senator John P. Burke – (401) 374-4721
Senator Andrew R. Dimitri – (401) 276-5563
Senator Dawn Euer – (401) 276-5561
Senator Thomas J. Paolino – (401) 222-2708
Senator Todd M. Patalano – (401) 276-5592
Senator Ana B. Quezada – (401) 255-0345
Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis – (401) 276-5567
You can find your State Senator by using this tool from the Rhode Island Department of State: Find my legislator. If you already know who your legislator is, you can use the Senate directory found here: State Senate of Rhode Island.
Reach out to your Senators immediately using the form above and demand that they STOP H 5436!
