Rhode Island Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Rhode Island Senate For Passing Ghost Gun Legislation

Current Loophole Allows People Barred from Buying Guns to Access Untraceable, Unserialized Ghost Guns, Avoiding Background Checks and Undermining Law Enforcement

Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee Also Advanced Ghost Gun Legislation for Full House Vote

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after the Rhode Island Senate passed S2004, legislation to prohibit ghost guns. The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee also advanced its version of ghost gun legislation to the full House floor for an upcoming vote.

“Easy access to untraceable, undetectable ghost guns poses a serious threat to public safety,” said Diana Garlington, a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Closing this loophole will make Rhode Island safer, and we hope the full House will move quickly to send this to the governor’s desk.”

Ghost guns are do-it-yourself firearms, often built using unfinished receivers and parts and kits that – as seen in a New York Times investigation – can be acquired without a background check. These unfinished receivers, as well as rapidly-advancing 3D-printing technology, make it easy for people who are legally prohibited from purchasing firearms to evade background check laws and build  their own deadly weapons. Because these DIY firearms aren’t marked with serial numbers, they cannot be traced by law enforcement if they’re used to commit crimes. 3D-printing technology can also produce all-plastic firearms that are invisible to metal detectors.