Legislators,
advocates, city leaders push to pass domestic violence bill this session
Nearly 100 attend event in support of ‘Protect Rhode
Island Families Act’
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| Rep. Teresa Tanzi (center), sponsor of the “Protect Rhode Island Families Act” is flanked by members of the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. At rear is Sen. Harold M. Metts, the Senate sponsor of the legislation. |
Nearly 100 advocates lent their support to legislation
sponsored by Rep. Teresa Tanzi at a recent event supporting the “Protect Rhode
Island Families Act” to help keep guns away from domestic abusers.
Advocates and survivors highlighted the current gaps in
the law that allow domestic abusers to keep their firearms, even when they are
prohibited by federal law from possessing them.
“Courts in Rhode Island rarely require abusers to turn
in their firearms, even when the orders prohibit those abusers from having guns
under federal law,” said Representative Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown,
Narragansett).
“Of the more than 1,600 final protective orders
reviewed, just five percent of abusers were ordered to turn in their
guns. We can—we must—do better.”
The legislation (2017-H 5510, 2017-S 0405) would require those convicted of a crime of domestic violence and
anyone subject to a domestic abuse protective order to surrender any firearms
they have, and would prohibit them from acquiring more.
The bill would protect victims of domestic violence by
prohibiting gun possession by domestic abusers convicted of misdemeanor
domestic violence crimes, prohibiting gun possession by domestic abusers who
are currently subject to protective orders, and ensuring that all domestic
abusers turn in their guns when they become prohibited.
These actions would bring Rhode Island in line with
federal law and would empower state and local law enforcement to keep guns out
of dangerous abusers’ hands.
Between 2006 and 2015, 54 people lost their lives to
domestic violence homicides in Rhode Island, according to a report by the Rhode
Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV).
The report shows that more victims in Rhode Island
during those years were killed with a firearm than any other means.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, cities in states
that restrict access to guns by people subject to DVROs see a 25-percent
reduction in intimate-partner gun homicides.
“Most people have no idea of the terror that
occurs daily for so many victims of domestic violence. Those fears are often
made worse when guns are involved,” said Giovanna Rodriguez, a survivor of
domestic violence, and member of the Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships
task force for RICADV.
“It is because of my personal experience with domestic
violence that I believe with all my heart that guns have nothing to do in the
hands of abusers. Just like I believe that it is time that Rhode Island to
passes gun legislation that protects women, children and men.”
Other speakers at the event included Sen. Harold M. Metts
(D-Dist. 6, Providence), who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate; Providence
Mayor Jorge Elorza; Mayors Against Illegal Guns; Jennifer Boylan of
the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America;
Chief Dean Hoxie, president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs
Association; Sydney Monstream-Quas of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun
Violence; and Rev. Gene Dyszlewski of the Religious Coalition for a Violence
Free Rhode Island.
Following the press conference, volunteers with the
Rhode Island Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America met with
legislators on the Senate and House floors to advocate for the legislation.