Mayors of Central Falls, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, and Warwick Sign Letter Urging Lawmakers to Pass S. 503 and H. 5655
Poll Shows Overwhelming Majority of Rhode Islanders Back Legislation, Which Will Prohibit Domestic Abusers from Possessing Guns
Providence, RI — The Rhode Island coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns—a national coalition of mayors which, together with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, formed Everytown for Gun Safety last year—today released a letter urging lawmakers to pass S. 503 and H. 5655. The legislation would make it illegal for those convicted of domestic abuse or those under a domestic violence protective order to possess guns. The mayors’ full letter can be found here.
Polling released earlier this month showed that 8 out of 10 Rhode Islanders support the legislation. An even higher percentage, 82 percent, support the specific provision in the two bills to make it illegal for people subject to domestic violence protective orders to buy or possess guns.
Five Rhode Island mayors from cities representing hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders, signed the letter.
“Mayors see firsthand how gun violence can devastate families. Here in Rhode Island, between 2003 and 2012, there were 31 domestic violence homicides, and nearly a quarter of them were committed with guns. Statistically, women in domestic violence situations are five times more likely to be murdered when a gun is present,” the letter states.
“As mayors of Rhode Island cities, we believe it is time to update Rhode Island law and empower law enforcement to better protect Rhode Island families from gun violence. We know that we can both support the Second Amendment and do more to protect victims of domestic violence. Stand with us in support of S. 503 and H. 5655 to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and help save Rhode Island lives.”
Over the past months, the Rhode Island Chapter of Moms Demand Action and the nearly 10,000 Everytown supporters in the state have spoken out in favor of S. 503 and H. 5655.
About Everytown for Gun Safety
Everytown is the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million supporters and more than 40,000 donors including moms, mayors, survivors, and everyday Americans who are fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and help save lives. At the core of Everytown are Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a grassroots movement of American mothers founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Learn more at www.everytown.org and follow us @Everytown
About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is a grassroots movement of American mothers fighting for public safety measures that respect the Second Amendment and protect people from gun violence. Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. Since its inception after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Moms Demand Action has established a chapter in every state of the country and along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with more than 2.5 million members and more than 40,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter at @MomsDemand