It is Time for a Vote

It is Time for a Vote

Year after year, gun safety legislation is introduced into the Rhode Island General Assembly and is referred to the Senate and House Judiciary committees where our local lawmakers including House Judiciary Chair Robert E. Craven and Rep. Julie Casimiro hear impassioned, evidence-based testimony in favor of the bills from scores of witnesses and constituents. These “gun nights” as they are often referred to by the legislators often last until midnight or later and require a great deal of effort for all concerned parties. How many times must committee members be presented with evidence that gun safety legislation reduces gun violence before they are willing to move the bills to the floor for a vote? How many times must survivors relive their trauma before our lawmakers act?

The people of Rhode Island elected their representatives to pass laws, not hold them in committee. If the leadership and collective members of the General Assembly think that the proposed common sense gun legislation is bad public policy, then it simply will not pass when given a vote. However, I don’t think that will be the case.

There has never been more support for these bills than there is now. Proposals to limit the spread of deadly high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, crack down on straw purchasing and gun trafficking, keep guns out of our schools and public places, and require gun owners to securely store their guns when not being carried, are endorsed by all our General Officers, cosponsored by more than half the members of the General Assembly, and supported by more than 70% of Rhode Islanders.

Especially given the recent shootings that have rocked our state, it is time for the Senate and House Judiciary Committees to move S0073/H5555, S0406/H5553, S0414/H5554, S0415/H5556, S0416/H5386, and S0417/H5969 out of committee and to the floor. The gun violence victims from Rhode Island deserve the right to see this legislation debated and voted on. As a voter, I want my state senator and representatives to go on record with their votes as to whether they support or oppose these bills.

We are all responsible for our actions and failure to act. As a gun sense voter, I will support those candidates in Rhode Island who actively promote the passage of common sense gun safety legislation in Rhode Island. Rhode islanders have a right to live free from gun violence.