LWVRI supported priority gun safety bills  H 5434 / S 321 — legislation which would require secure storage of all firearms; and H 5300 / S 379 — legislation which would prohibit the manufacture, sale and possession of assault weapons in the state while providing current owners a pathway to keep them. Despite support from all 5 RI State General Officers for these bills from day one, majority support of gun safety laws by the public, and tireless advocacy by gun violence prevention groups, no gun safety bills were brought to the floor of the RI House or Senate for a vote in 2023. 

Needless to say we are extremely frustrated that the General Assembly and its leaders chose not to make gun safety a priority issue.  The RI Coalition Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action RI are determined to continue advocacy efforts for these two bills in 2024.  Thank you to members of the LWVRI Team for all they have done to promote this legislation.  I hope you will all continue to be members of this team as we continue to demand common sense gun laws.