Raimondo signs Protect RI Families Act

Governor Gina Raimondo has officially signed the Protect Rhode Island Families Act into law. On Monday, there was a ceremonial signing of the new law, which was passed in late September. Activist groups like the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Rhode Island Chapter of Moms...

Governor Gina Raimondo has officially signed the Protect Rhode Island Families Act into law. On Monday, there was a ceremonial signing of the new law, which was passed in late September. Activist groups like the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Rhode Island Chapter of Moms Demand Violence attended the event. This new law aims to keep guns out of the hands of those convicted of domestic assault. People charged with violent acts will be barred from keeping guns. Representative Teresa Tanzi, the bill’s sponsor, has been fighting for it in the Rhode Island General Assembly for three years. Activists like Kate Porter, a member of the RICADV, have also been working to pass the bill for years, and celebrated at Monday’s ceremony. “It was sort of jubilant. People had been working on this bill for so long,” she said. “I think that to get it passed for them was extremely exciting and just a powerful example of the way that when people come together they can get something done.” Governor Raimondo stated this isn’t the end for gun reform. According to Steve Ahlquist, she stated, “Let’s take this and keep going. Let’s take this and have national common sense gun reform. Let’s take this and ban military style weapons, like many of our neighbors have done.”