Enough is enough!
By Beth Comery for the Providence Daily Dose
Tell the nine-year-old child in your
life, I am doing something! The RI Coalition Against Gun
Violence (RICAGV) will be hosting a Lobby Day next Tuesday, April 4th, at the
State House. All are welcome. This is the xmas card photo used by US Rep. Andy Ogles
(R-TN) whose district includes the Nashville school where
three 9 year olds and 3 teachers were murdered with AR-15s.
Feel free to bring like-minded friends and
family, members of your organization, and anyone who wants to show their
support of gun violence prevention. This event had been scheduled before Nashville.
You will receive a brief training about how
to lobby legislators and will be partnered with others who have done this
before. It’s a great way to have your voice heard. Wear orange: organizers will
have orange RICAGV tee-shirts available.
The legislative goals this
session:
Regulating Assault Weapons: House bill
sponsored by Representative Jason Knight/ Senate bill sponsored by Senator Josh
Miller.
This act would ban the possession, sale and
transfer of assault weapons. Possession of assault weapons owned on the
effective date of this act would be “grandfathered” subject to certain
registration provisions.
Safe Firearm Storage: House bill sponsored by
Representative Justine Caldwell/ Senate bill sponsored by Senator Pamela
Lauria.
Rhode Island has already enacted sensible
gun regulation. In 2022 we passed legislation limiting
magazine capacity to 10 rounds, prohibiting loaded long guns in public, and
raising the age to buy long guns and ammo from 18 to 21. These are very
persuasive advocates.
RICAGV is the organizer of this campaign.
They have many local and national partners, including: Moms Demand Action, The
Nonviolence Institute, RICADV, United Way of RI, The Womxn Project, AFL-CIO, RI
Black Business Association, RI Kids Count, and more.
Go here to sign up for Lobby Day.
Can’t make it? Go to their 401Gives page and help
fund the efforts. Find your legislators here.
Learn more at the Washington Post: The Blast Effect: This is how bullets
from an AR-15 blow the body apart. This includes 3D animations.
Lobby Day, 3pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday, April 4,
State House, 82 Smith Street, (directions)