Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Newport police brought down a gunman Tuesday at the same time as lawmakers unveiled a package of gun control bills. Do you think the proposed laws could improve public saftey?
In an paradigm of coincidence Tuesday afternoon, at the same time that Rhode Island lawmakers were unveiling a package of gun control bills, Newport police were bringing down an alleged gunman. Police confirmed the suspect, 21-year-old Tyquan Mitchell, did not have a permit to legally carry a gun. The proposed laws would increase penalties and close loopholes on gun crimes, add mental-health background checks and ban semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. After allegedly waving the gun in the Park Holm area, police said Mitchell fled in a car to Miantonomi Park, where he was brought down by gunpoint. Police said children who were playing at the park ran from the scene. Police found a loaded .22 short caliber as well …
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Patch sat down with local attorney to evaluate a gun registration bill that would require Rhode Island gun owners to register their weapons with police and pay a $100 registration fee.
Editor’s Note: State Rep Linda Finn (D-Middletown, Portsmouth) introduced legislation (2013-H 5573) in February, that would require Rhode Island gun owners to register their weapons with local police or the state police and pay a $100 registration fee. Many Patch readers expressed concerns about the constitutionality of the proposal. We sat down with Kevin Hagan, an attorney based out of Newport, to review the bill from a constitutional perspective, and help sort out fact from fiction. Hagan has taught Law and Society at CCRI in Newport that includes coursework on the Second Amendment. Patch: Some readers said there was a difference between rights and privileges. For example, one reader said that that owning a car is a privilege, …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Rhode Island Chapter held a press conference last week to show support for gun control legislation.
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Rhode Island Chapter, held a press conference last Thursday at the State House to show support for gun legislation, including the gun registration bill, 5573, introduced by State Rep. Linda Finn Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth). “We will no longer stay silent knowing that every day eight children are killed by gun violence in the United States,” said Aida Neary of Moms Demand Action at the conference. “The Newtown children were all our children. It is sad that it took 20 children for us to open our eyes and realize that all children who die from gun violence are our children. The event corresponded with the National Day of Action with events all across the country advocating for …
Monday, March 25, 2013
In a letter to the editor, Finn address the concern and criticism of the gun registration bill introduced last month.
[editor's note: The following letter was submitted by Rep. Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) regarding the gun registration bill, 5573, that would require gun owners to register their weapons with local police. The controversial proposal drew hundreds to the State House last month to speak up against the bill.] I have received many responses from concerned citizens, both gun owning and not. I would like to clarify a couple of items and respond to some of the criticism of the bill. Please remember that at this point, this bill is still only a proposal. In order for it to become law, a House committee must first hear it. That hearing before the House Judiciary Committee is open to all to testify about their opinions. …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
A letter to Rep. Linda Finn about her gun registration bill
Friday, March 8, 2013
A statement by Rep. Linda Finn that said Rhode Island keeps a registry of campers but not guns was classified as "mostly true" by Politifact Rhode Island
“Currently, there’s no way to know who has weapons in Rhode Island. We don’t keep records on anything, we don’t require licenses and we don’t register guns. Rhode Island could tell you who has a camper, but we couldn’t figure out who has a gun.” - Rep. Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) How accurate is the quote in bold? According to Politifact Rhode Island, it is "mostly true," which by their definition means the statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. Finn's gun registration bill (2013-H 5573) would require gun-owners to register their weapon with their local police. Failure to do so would result in up to three years in prison and fines of up to $3,000. Similar to other gun control …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
A letter from reader Nancy Green on the issue of gun control
Friday, March 1, 2013
Hundreds of gun rights advocates gathered at the State House protesting legislation introduced by Rep. Linda Finn of Middletown that would require gun owners to register with local police departments.
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 …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The proposed legislation would require anyone who possesses a firearm to register the gun with their local police
Updated Mar. 1: Several hundred gun advocates rallied at the State House on Thursday, Feb. 28 against the bill. To read the story, click here. Representative Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth) has introduced legislation aimed at enabling police to better track guns in their communities. The legislation would require gun owners to register their weapons with their local police or the state police, and allow police to keep copies of applications for gun purchases sent to them for background checks. “It’s surprising that Rhode Island doesn’t already do this," said Finn. "Our current law requires background checks, a seven-day waiting period and applications for anyone who wants to buy a gun, but actually requires police to …
Friday, January 18, 2013
President Obama said the laws, including universal background checks and a renewed ban on assault rifles, would lead to "fewer atrocities like the one that happened in Newtown."
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Friday, January 18
Alongside Vice President Joe Biden and a group of children who had written in support, President Barack Obama signed a proposal to Congress on Wednesday to strengthen United States gun laws. These included universal background checks, limiting the number of bullets in a clip and renewing a ban on military-grade assault rifles. "If America worked harder to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, there would be fewer atrocities like the one that occurred in Newtown," Obama said. He listed some specific measures, including a 10-round limit on magazines for firearms, and asked Congress to confirm Todd Jones to fill the long-dormant role of chief for the Bureau of Alchol, Tobacco and Firearms — and briefly mentioned other measures, …
Edward Tracy
3:58 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
In the words of Mark Twain, "there are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, damn lies and statistics." more ›