Hundreds Rally Against Gun Registration Bill

Several hundred gun advocates showed up at the State House on Thursday afternoon to oppose a gun registration bill introduced by Representative Linda Finn (D-Middletown, Portsmouth).

Under the legislation (2013-H 5573), anyone who possesses a firearm would be required to register the gun with local police for a $100 fee. Failure to do so would result in up to three years in prison and fines of up to $3,000. Currently, Rhode Island does not require registration or licensing for gun ownership.

“The most obvious flaw in this legislation is that it is entirely contrary to the language and spirit of federal firearms law, the Brady Bill," said State Rep. Doreen Costa (R-North Kingstown, Exeter) at the rally.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act established a national system for checking the background of a prospective handgun purchaser in 1993.

Portsmouth resident Dexter Liu said although he attends church with Finn and considers her a friend, he is disappointed with this bill.  

“There is a lot of passion on this issue,” he said, pointing at the crowded rotunda.  ‘“People don’t like that their bill of rights is being comprised.”  He urged lawmakers not to let the Newtown tragedy single out law-abiding gun owners. 

The legislation would also add a requirement that all guns sold in the state be equipped with a safety device, either separately installed or as part of the gun’s design, to prevent the accidental discharge or discharge by unauthorized users.

“We don’t need new laws as much as we need to begin enforcing the laws already on the books,” Costa said to the audience. “I would support legislation that can be shown to work. But there are just some things another law cannot achieve and House bill 5537 is a stretch and a perfect example of poor legislation.”