Rhode Island Becomes the Fourth State to Enact Red Flag Legislation After Parkland and the Eighth to Prohibit Bump Stocks After Las Vegas
SB 2492 Creates a Red Flag Law That Empowers Rhode Islanders to Help Prevent Mass Shootings and Firearm Suicides
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today praised Governor Raimondo for signing two pieces of gun safety legislation into law, and again applauded state legislators for prioritizing passage of these lifesaving bills. This Red Flag legislation will empower families to work with law enforcement to seek an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), a court order that temporarily restricts a person’s access to firearms when they pose a risk of using them to harm themselves or others. The bump stock legislation will prohibit bump stocks and help stop an end-run around federal law by prohibiting bump stocks and other dangerous devices that effectively convert semi-automatic firearms into machine guns.
This bill signing follows Governor Raimondo’s Red Flag executive order signed in February after the Parkland shooting that established statewide policies to ensure that law enforcement acts on tips received from family members when they see warning signs that a person is in crisis and to educate the public on recognizing warning signs and utilizing resources available to them. By creating Extreme Risk Protection Orders in Rhode Island, this bill will give families, in partnership with law enforcement, a new tool to use to remove guns from dangerous situations and help prevent mass shootings, firearm suicides, and other acts of gun violence.
STATEMENT FROM JENNIFER BOYLAN, VOLUNTEER WITH THE RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“The legislature prioritizing these bills and Gov. Raimondo’s swift signing of them today, along with last year’s enactment of lifesaving domestic violence legislation, demonstrates that Rhode Island is joining the ranks of states leading the fight to prevent gun violence. Once again, our lawmakers have listened to the majority of Rhode Islanders and taken action to protect our families and keep our communities safe. These bills will save lives, and we are so proud to see them signed into law.”