I am writing today to express my hope that Rhode Island will finally pass a law to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers.  Current Rhode Island law makes it too easy for dangerous domestic abusers to access guns, putting already vulnerable people in even more danger. 

The bill being proposed would: 1) prohibit gun possession by domestic abusers convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes; 2) prohibit gun possession by domestic abusers who are currently subject to protective orders; and 3) ensure that all domestic abusers turn in their guns when they become prohibited. 

These actions would bring Rhode Island in line with federal law, which already prohibits a person from having a gun who has been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence, and empower state and local law enforcement to keep guns out of a dangerous abusers’ hands. 

Many states, including Texas, Colorado and Connecticut, have laws automatically prohibiting domestic abusers subject to protective orders from having guns; Rhode Island does not.  When these laws are in place there is a 25 percent reduction in intimate partner gun deaths, a worthy goal for Rhode Island to try to achieve.

This bill has been stuck in committee for over three years. It’s time to make the safety of those who are victims of domestic violence a priority. Please call your state representatives to let them know you support this bill — they need to hear from you. Reference House bill H-5510 and Senate bill S-405.

Christine Bandoni

Tiverton