Gun ranges will now be required to post suicide hotline signs and take other steps to prevent suicides, after a Bristol mother whose son shot himself at Sakonnet River Outfitters in Tiverton last November pushed for changes in state law.

The legislation was passed by the General Assembly in early June and was signed into law by Gov. Dan McKee last Thursday, and was introduced by Rep. Susan R. Donovan and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma. They sponsored it through the advocacy of a Bristol mother, Jamie Brooks, whose 22-year-old son died by suicide in November. It was the second suicide at the range in two months.

In testimony for the bill, Brooks told lawmakers that her son J.J  was a bright, creative and kind young man who suffered a breakdown as a college freshman three years ago. Since then he was taking medication and attending therapy, and seemingly was doing better. Due to a minor run-in with the law, J.J. was “red-flagged,” preventing him from being able to purchase a firearm. But that prohibition did not prevent him from renting one.

Brooks said the bill’s requirements that ranges post signs about Rhode Island’s suicide hotline and prevent nonmembers from being alone could make a difference.

“In a moment of crisis, seconds matter, impulses pass. It might just stop a permanent decision in a moment of crisis. If J.J. needed to pause, if he hadn’t been alone, there is a possibility, just a possibility that he might still be here,” she told the House Judiciary Committee in April. “The bill’s not going to stop suicide, but it can interrupt it ... It can save lives.”

The law requires all shooting ranges in Rhode Island to conspicuously post, in any areas where shooting occurs, a sign that says, in English and Spanish, “WARNING: If you or a loved one is experiencing distress and/or depression, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline or text “HOME” to 741741.”

It also requires that ranges that operate on a membership basis require that any nonmember be accompanied by a member or staff member at all times while on the premises.

Representative Donovan noted in her testimony for the legislation that an estimated 35 suicides occurred at shooting ranges across the nation last year. Of those, 86% of victims rented a weapon, and 88% arrived alone.

“Gun ranges, of course, would like to avoid these tragedies, which are traumatizing for everyone,” Sen. DiPalma said. “These are a couple of small, cost-free steps that gun ranges can take to help save lives.”

“We are very grateful to Jamie Brooks for bravely taking action in the midst of her own grief to prevent other families’ and other victims’ suffering,” Rep. Donovan added. “That’s a remarkable and courageous tribute to her son’s memory.”