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ALERT!!! Rally at the Rotunda 3-6-2018, at 3pm!

SEVENTEEN gun-bills will be heard on Tuesday March 6th, 2018, by the Senate Judiciary Committee! These bills are really bad and includes bills such as the Assault Weapon Ban, Magazine Restrictions, and No Guns In Schools. It is CRITICAL that EVERYONE go to the State House to oppose these bills. The hearing will be in room 313 at the State House after the Rise of the Senate. There is not a set time, but typically these hearings starts around 5pm, but if you arrive early and sign up to testify you will most likely get to testify early as well. If you do not wish to testify, please come to the State House to show your oppisition to the bills by signing your name on the forms that will be provided. PS, you can park either at the Providence Place mall or at the Health and Human Services parking lot when it opens up for parking around 4:30-5pm. Please spread the word and get as many people to the State House as you can. PS, both the House Judiciary and Senate Judiciary will hear bills the same day!!

PS! Please endure you submit all THREE forms since there are both Good and Bad bills being heard in two different committees.

First Name*
Last Name*
Street*
City*
Your Email*
Phone#
Subject*	Please OPPOSE S2271, S2274, S2276, S2289, S2292, S2319, S2455, S2456, S2492, S2493, and S2606!
Comments* (feel free to personalize the letter)	President of the Senate and the Senate Judiciary Committee, S2271/S2292: Please OPPOSE these bills which will ban bump stocks, trigger cranks, binary triggers, and other "rapid fire devices". The ATF's opinion is that these devices do NOT convert a semi-automatic firearm to fully automatic firearms, but the ATF is may revisit their opinion soon so there is no need to legislate these devices. A bump-stock will actually not change the rate of fire either since this is determined by the time it takes to extract an empty shell and insert a new cartridge into the chamber and this is not affected by a bump stock. These devices are rarely used in crimes, with the exception of the Las Vegas shooting, because they are difficult to use, not reliable or accurate. This bill will also ban "rapid fire devices", which is a very broad definition since changing many readily available parts such as springs, buffers, and bolt carriers to make a firearm more reliable could also change the firing rate. S2274: Please OPPOSE S2274, a bill which will severely restrict where rifles and shotguns can be carried. It would even make it more restrictive than for pistols and revolvers if you have a CCW permit (these permits does not apply to rifles and shotguns). There is NO provision to go to a friend's property to shoot or to go to the airport for someone who might be flying out of state on a hunting trip or shooting competition. S2276: Please OPPOSE S2276, a bill which will severely restrict where and when minors can possess a firearm. This will only affect activity involving long guns because the law already prohibits the carrying of handguns without a permit (11-47-8). The supporters of this bill claims it is necessary because they cannot prosecute minors under existing law, but the fact is it is typically handguns that are used in crimes so why are minors not prosecuted under 11-47-8 instead of 11-47-33? By deleting the words "and use", the statute makes a criminal out of any minor who simply possesses a firearm, including a "BB" gun. There are some exemptions in the bill, such as firearm's permits to minors. However, none of the Chiefs that were contacted just 3-4 years ago said they a policy in place and we also know too well all the issues there are with issuing Shall Issue permits under 11-47-11. S2289: Please OPPOSE S2289, a bill to ban those with valid Rhode Island concealed carry permits from possessing a concealed firearm on school grounds. This bill would penalize CCWs, who have never caused a problem at a school in RI. It would eliminate the ability of parents and school officials to protect themselves and school children. Concealed carry is an effective deterrent to school shooters because they do not know if they will be challenged by someone armed. S2319: Please OPPOSE S2319, the bill to limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds. Criminals will pay no attention to this limit. So it would put good people who follow the law at a disadvantage in confrontations with criminals. Magazine limits do not reduce the number of deaths or injuries. Even an inexperienced person can change a magazine in seconds. Not every bullet hits its target, especially in stressful situations. So a person in a self-defense situation, especially against multiple assailants, may need more than 10 rounds to protect his or her life. There is no provision for grandfathering, requiring destruction or confiscation of private property without compensation. S2455: Please OPPOSE S2455, a bill to limit the issuance or concealed carry permits to the Attorney General. Through his actions over the years, Rhode Island's attorney general has made clear he is strongly against concealed carry. Despite what they say, the attorney general's office can take months to respond to application, issues form letter denials without giving a reason and performs unnecessarily intrusive interviews of applicants. The current system of municipality-issued permits could be improved with statewide uniformity, but it is far better and more convenient than having to travel to Providence to deal with the AG's unfriendly bureaucracy. S2456: Please OPPOSE S2456, a bill which could put a financial burden on those seeking to obtain a CCW by requiring the applicants to pay for fingerprints and background investigations. S2492: Please OPPOSE this "Red Flag" bills owing to the excessive breadth of the legislation and its impact on civil liberties - by, for example, confiscating a person's lawfully-owned property because somebody believes they might someday commit a crime. Additionally, this bill could make the cost of storing confiscated firearms prohibitively expensive - both because the bill lacks a third party storage option, raising the risk of damaging storage conditions such that the firearms become worthless. The RI ACLU has come out strongly against this legislation; you can read their news release and 14-page opinion at: http://riaclu.org/news/post/aclu-of-rhode-island-raises-red-flags-over-red-flag-gun-legislation. S2493: Please OPPOSE S2493, a bill to ban the sale of nearly 100 types of semi-automatic rifles. Following the sunsetting of the 10-year national ban on so called assault weapons, the DOJ conducted the definitive study of the bill's effectiveness. Despite being under pressure from the Clinton administration to show the ban was effective, the DOJ could not find any evidence whatsoever that the law reduced crime. Several years ago Connecticut past similar legislation. It isn't just ineffective. It has been a disaster. In a huge display of civil disobedience, 80% of the owners of rifles the law required to be registered refused. As a result, Connecticut's law created 50,000 to 350,000 felons. The state's lawmakers look foolish and ineffective and the police have made it clear they will not attempt to confiscation. It makes no sense that Rhode Island is even considering a law that has proven to be ineffective and whose only "benefit" has been to make criminals of otherwise law-abiding citizens. Recent polls done by Congressman David Cicilline and Projo, neither know for being Pro Gun, showed there was almost no support for ban on these firearms and 75-80% of Rhode Islanders oppose the ban. S2606: Please OPPOSE S2606, a bill which makes it illegal to alter or remove any markings on a firearm. It is already illegal under State and Federal laws to remove a firearm's serial number, but this bill will also ban changing parts such as grips and barrels that has markings on them.

First Name*
Last Name*
Street*
City*
Your Email*
Phone#
Subject*	Please SUPPORT S2134, S2139, S2143, S2144, S2148!
Comments* (feel free to personalize the letter)	President of the Senate and the Senate Judiciary Committee, S2134: Please SUPPORT S2134, a bill to require the attorney general to report annually to the general assembly on the incidence and disposition of crimes involving guns. This would make it much easier for everyone to see how crimes involving firearms are being handled. And it would confirm or dispel the idea that gun crimes in RI are not being aggressively prosecuted. S2139: Please SUPPORT S2139, a bill to enable the RI AG to negotiate concealed carry reciprocity with other states. A person's ability to protect his or her life should not end at the state line. Just as with marriage and driver's licenses, CCWs should be reciprocally valid in all states. Also this would reduce the legal confusion and serious trouble some have gotten into when they inadvertently violate another State's CCW laws. S2143: Please SUPPORT S2143, a bill to make Rhode Island's CCW application process uniform throughout the state. Right now each of Rhode Island's municipalities has its own CCW application process. Some are fair and follow the law. Others violate the law and make it virtually impossible for even a highly qualified person to get a CCW. This new law would create a reasonable CCW application process for every Rhode Islander that would be consistent throughout the state. This bill will also create an appeals process that will give applicants the ability to appeal a denial in the Superior Court instead of petition the Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari since these are discretionary. S2144: Please SUPPORT S2144, a bill to make sound suppressors legal for use on long guns for hunting. This would reduce the noise level that damages the hearing of hunters and hunting dogs. Gunshots would still be loud enough to provide a safety warning for anyone in the vicinity of the hunter. S2148: Please SUPPORT S2148, a bill to honor the concealed carry permits of those states that recognize RI's concealed carry permits. Dozens of states recognize each other's CCWs. Rhode Island is not one of them. It would provide a great deal added security and legal protection for Rhode Islanders to have CCW reciprocity with at least neighboring states.

First Name*
Last Name*
Street*
City*
Your Email*
Phone#
Subject*	Please OPPOSE H7075, H7688, and H7763!
Comments* (feel free to personalize the letter)	Speaker of the House and the House Judiciary Committee, H7075: Please OPPOSE H7075, a bill which will ban bump stocks, trigger cranks, binary triggers, and other "rapid fire devices". The ATF's opinion is that these devices do NOT convert a semi-automatic firearm to fully automatic firearms, but the ATF is may revisit their opinion soon so there is no need to legislate these devices. A bump-stock will actually not change the rate of fire either since this is determined by the time it takes to extract an empty shell and insert a new cartridge into the chamber and this is not affected by a bump stock. These devices are rarely used in crimes, with the exception of the Las Vegas shooting, because they are difficult to use, not reliable or accurate. This bill will also ban "rapid fire devices", which is a very broad definition since changing many readily available parts such as springs, buffers, and bolt carriers to make a firearm more reliable could also change the firing rate. H7688/H7763: Please OPPOSE these "Red Flag" bills owing to the excessive breadth of the legislation and its impact on civil liberties - by, for example, confiscating a person's lawfully-owned property because somebody believes they might someday commit a crime. Additionally, this bill could make the cost of storing confiscated firearms prohibitively expensive - both because the bill lacks a third party storage option, raising the risk of damaging storage conditions such that the firearms become worthless. The RI ACLU has come out strongly against this legislation; you can read their news release and 14-page opinion at: http://riaclu.org/news/post/aclu-of-rhode-island-raises-red-flags-over-red-flag-gun-legislation.

Senate Bill No. S2027
Senate Bill No. 2027 BY Seveney, Coyne, DiPalma, Pearson, Conley ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Possession, transportation, manufacture or sale of bump stock is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and/or $15,000 fine.)

This bill will ban bump stocks and the penality of violating this statute is up to 5 years and/or a $15,000 fine. The bill will take effect upon passage, but there is a 24 hour window after passage to surrender bump-stocks to State or local police. There will be no compensation for bump stocks that are surrendered.

Senate Bill No. S2134
Senate Bill No. 2134 BY Archambault, Lynch Prata, McCaffrey, Lombardi, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DEPARTMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL -- GUN CRIMES REPORT (Directs the attorney general to report annually to the general assembly on the incidence and disposition of crimes involving guns.)

This is a good bill that will direct the Attorney General to generate a report on the incidence and disposition of the cases. For years we have heard the Attorney General argue for stricter laws, but the research RIFOL has done shows that in many cases the gun charges are dropped so you have to ask yourself what is the point of stricter gun laws that will only affect law abiding citizens.

Senate Bill No. S2139
Senate Bill No. 2139 BY Archambault, Lynch Prata, Lombardi, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Authorizes the attorney general to enter into agreements with other states and counties from other states to recognize and give reciprocity to concealed weapon permit holders allowing them to carry concealed weapons in this state.)

Senate Bill No. S2143
Senate Bill No. 2143 BY Archambault, Lombardi, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Makes numerous changes to the procedures regarding the issuance of concealed carry permits, the fees associated with their issuance, and the public records accessible by the public in relating thereto.)

This is a GREAT bill that will improve the CCW process in RI by standardizing the application process as well as creates a process to appeal denials.

Senate Bill No. S2144
Senate Bill No. 2144 BY Archambault, Lombardi, Lombardo ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Defines a firearm silencer and permits the use of such a device on any firearm with an overall length of seventeen inches or greater and permits the use of such a device for lawful hunting activity.)

This bill will lift some of the restrictions on silencers (suppressors) in Rhode Island and is a great bill.

Senate Bill No. S2148
Senate Bill No. 2148 BY Ciccone, Lombardi ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Allows those persons with concealed carry permits issued by other states to carry upon their person weapons in Rhode Island provided that the issuing state recognizes and gives reciprocity to RI permit holders.)

This bill will create reciprocity with some of the states that recognizes RI CCW permits.

Senate Bill No. S2271
Senate Bill No. 2271 BY Sheehan, Cote, Calkin, Metts, Quezada ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Makes possession or use of a semi-automatic weapon rapid fire device to include bump stock, binary trigger or trigger crank punishable by up to ten (10) years imprisonment and/or a ten thousand dollars ($10,000) fine.)

This bill specifically prohibits bump fire stock, binary triggers, and trigger cranks. It also prohibits "rapid fire devices" which can include many commonly available parts such springs and bolt carrier groups that are replaced to enhance reliability of a firearm (triggers are exempt in the bill). Violations of this statute can result is a prison term of 1-10 years and/or a $10,000 fine. If this bill passes it will take effect immediately and there is no amnesty, grandfathering, or compensation of existing devices. Law enforcement would be exempt of this law.

Senate Bill No. S2274
Senate Bill No. 2274 (Attorney General) BY Miller, Goodwin, Metts, Calkin, Euer ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Makes it unlawful for any person to carry a rifle or shotgun in any vehicle or conveyance or on or about their person whether visible or concealed subject to certain exceptions.)

This bill will severly restrict where rifles and shotguns can be carried and there is NO provision to go to a friend's property to shoot or go to the airport for someone who might be flying out of state on a hunting trip or shooting competition.

Senate Bill No. S2276
Senate Bill No. 2276 (Attorney General) BY Metts ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Criminalizes possession of a firearm by a minor, except when the minor is engaged in certain activities and when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or qualified adult.)

This bill will severely restrict where and when minors can possess a firearm. This will only affect activity involving long guns because the law already prohibits the carrying of handguns without a permit (11-47-8).

Senate Bill No. S2289
Senate Bill No. 2289 BY Metts, Goldin, Quezada, Crowley, Calkin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Provides that only peace officers and persons approved by the school authorities for the purposes of educational instruction may carry firearms or other weapons on school grounds.)

This is a really bad bill which will prohibit CCW permit holders from carrying a firearm on school property leaving them vulnerable at a very predictible time and place against an attacker.

Senate Bill No. S2292
Senate Bill No. 2292 BY Seveney, Coyne, DiPalma, Pearson, Conley ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Makes possession or use of a semi-automatic weapon rapid fire device to include bump stock, binary trigger or trigger crank punishable by up to ten (10) years imprisonment and/or a ten thousand dollars ($10,000) fine.)

This bill specifically prohibits bump fire stock, binary triggers, and trigger cranks. It also prohibits "rapid fire devices" which can include many commonly available parts such springs and bolt carrier groups that are replaced to enhance reliability of a firearm (triggers are exempt in the bill). Violations of this statute can result is a prison term of 1-10 years and/or a $10,000 fine. If this bill passes it will take effect immediately and there is no amnesty, grandfathering, or compensation of existing devices. Law enforcement would be exempt of this law.

Senate Bill No. 2319
Senate Bill No. 2319 BY Goldin, Coyne, Euer, Miller, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Criminalizes the manufacture, import, possession, purchase, sale or transfer of any ammunition feeding device capable of accepting more than ten (10) rounds known as high capacity magazines.)
This is a REALLY bad bill that will ban detachable magazines holding more than 10 rounds! There is no grandfathering or compensation for existing magazines either!

Senate Bill No. 2455
Senate Bill No. 2455 BY Coyne, Seveney, Conley, DiPalma, Euer ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Limits the issuance of pistol and revolver carry permits to the office of the attorney general.)
This is a REALLY bad bill that will remove 11-47-11 and the Shall Issue authority for CCW permits and make RI a May Issue State! This is a REALLY bad bill that will have to be stopped.

Senate Bill No. 2456
Senate Bill No. 2456 (Attorney General) BY Goldin, Calkin, Coyne, Miller, Euer ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Provides that applicants for gun permits submit to national records check including fingerprinting by FBI.)
This bill puts a financial burden of unknown costs on CCW permit applicants.

Senate Bill No. 2492
Senate Bill No. 2492 BY Goodwin, Ruggerio, McCaffrey, Euer, DiPalma ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO COURTS AND CIVIL PROCEDURE--COURTS -- EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDERS -- CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Persons subject to extreme risk protection orders for being an imminent danger of causing personal injury shall surrender all firearms while subject to the order.)
People who are a danger to themself and others should not have access to guns, but this bill is long and complicated and we are concerned about it being too far reaching and that it does not give enough due process.

Senate Bill No. 2493
Senate Bill No. 2493 BY Miller, Goodwin, Lynch Prata, Coyne, Conley ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Restricts possession and sale of new assault weapons. Limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds or less. Grandfathers current possession/ownership.)

ASSAULT WEAPON BAN!!! This bill will ban many-many popular semi automatic firearms based on name and cosmetic features. It even bans some semi automatic shotguns as well as the Beretta PX4 Storm ("regular pistol") It also bans magazines capable to hold more than 10 rounds. There is a grandfather clause, but the owner is required to register the firearm ($25) with the Attorney General. We assume this is so they can be confiscated at a later time.. This bill needs to be stopped!

Senate Bill No. 2606
Senate Bill No. 2606 (Attorney General) BY Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Defines imitation firearm and provide that it is unlawful for any person to change, alter, remove, or obliterate any coloration or markings in any way that makes the imitation firearm look to be an operable firearm. Violation is a misdemeanor.)
This bill wil prohibit to alter ANY identification markings on a firearm even ifit is not a serial number. In other words, removing parts on a gun with the manufacturers logo or a factory barrel with an identification number would be illegal. It will also make it illegal to alter an imitation firearm to look like an operable firearm.

Senate Bill No. 2615
Senate Bill No. 2615 (Attorney General) BY Miller, Goodwin, Lynch Prata, Conley, Satchell ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Provides that no person shall knowingly purchase or otherwise obtain a firearm on behalf of or transfer to a person who the transferor knows or reasonably should know is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm.)

No person shall knowingly purchase or otherwise obtain a firearm on behalf of or transfer to a person who the transferor knows or reasonably should know is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm under federal or state law.

Senate Bill No. 2797
(Attorney General) BY Miller, Seveney, Coyne, Metts, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Increases the lawful age to purchase a rifle/shotgun to from 18 years of age to 21 years of age. Also requires a person complete a basic rifle/shotgun safety course before they can legally purchase a rifle/shotgun.)

This bill will raise the legal age to buy a rifle/shotgun from 18 to 21.

Senate Bill No. 2822
BY Goldin, Miller, Calkin, Quezada, Goodwin ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS (Repeals the statute providing state preemption of laws pertaining to the ownership, possession, transportation, and sale of firearms and ammunitions.)

This bill will allow cities and towns to create their own ordinaces with respect to the regulation of firearms.