Barrington resident and state Rep. Jennifer Boylan recently introduced four bills that she believes will improve gun safety in Rhode Island. 

“All of us are concerned about the security of our loved ones and our community,” said Rep. Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence). “These bills are reasonable improvements to current laws that will help keep everyone safer.”

One bill (2023-H 5894) would require individuals purchasing a long gun such as a shotgun or rifle to demonstrate the same gun safety credentials as individuals purchasing a pistol. 

Under current law, an individual purchasing a pistol must either have a hunter safety certificate or pass a basic firearms safety test. “Yet there is currently no safety course or test requirement to purchase rifles or shotguns,” stated a press release from Rep. Boylan.

The bill would extend the current law covering pistols to long guns and require DEM to periodically update the safety test manual and test questions.

“This feels like common sense to me,” said Rep. Boylan. “If I want to captain a boat, I need to go to DEM and pass a test to prove I know basic harbor safety. If I want to drive a car, I need to pass a test to prove I know basic driver safety. If I want to purchase a rifle or shotgun, I should meet the same requirement.”

A second bill (2023-H 5892) would expand trigger lock sales requirements to include long guns. 

Under current law, a pistol purchased from a Rhode Island licensed retail firearms dealer must include a trigger lock or other safety device designed to prevent an unauthorized user from operating it. Rifles and shotguns do not need to meet this requirement. 

A third bill (2023-H 5893) would prohibit individuals from purchasing more than one firearm in a 30-day period. A number of exceptions would apply including for law enforcement, inheritance, participation in courses of instruction, temporary rentals at gun ranges, private security companies and licensed collectors.

A fourth bill (2023-H 5912) would require Rhode Island officials to submit information about all firearms recovered at crime scenes to both the state crime laboratory and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) tracing system. By utilizing the state crime lab and the ATF tracing systems, investigators can connect firearms to multiple shootings using ballistic analysis. 

“I know this is a sensitive subject for a lot of people, and I know some folks don’t want any new firearms laws,” Rep. Boylan said. “But I think most of us can agree these bills are pretty reasonable. They ensure the rights of responsible firearms owners while helping protect our communities. I look forward to working towards their passage.”