RI Senate hears testimony for domestic violence gun control bill
Rhode Island state legislators are considering a bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. The Protect Rhode Island Families Act would prohibit gun possession by convicted domestic abusers, as well as people with a final restraining order. The Senate Judiciary Committee had...
Rhode Island state legislators are considering a bill to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers. The Protect Rhode Island Families Act would prohibit gun possession by convicted domestic abusers, as well as people with a final restraining order.
The Senate Judiciary Committee had a hearing last night, where people gave testimony in support of the bill. Some survivors of domestic violence spoke, including Barbara Swanson. She’s a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense Action in America. Swanson said that this bill is an easy way to reduce harm and fear in domestic abuse.
“Everyone concentrates on murder, but we don’t have that many murders of domestic violence victims,” Swanson said. “But we have thousands of people that live in fear every single day, and that’s just not right. I just think this bill is a no brainer and it should be passed. I don’t understand why we’re fighting it.”
The bill has been met by opposition from lobbyists defending the second amendment right to bear arms. Supporters of the bill say that this bill doesn’t take away guns from anyone who should have them.
People gathered to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on gun bills on Tuesday night.