RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus calls for passage of gun safety legislation

            STATE HOUSE – At a press conference held on the State House steps today, the RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus, chaired by Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), urged the passage of several gun safety bills currently before the General Assembly.

            “Once again, senseless carnage is all over our screens and newspapers and more young innocent lives have been robbed of the chance to grow up.  We are sickened to relive these horrific and preventable tragedies over and over and the time for action can no longer be delayed.  We are calling on our fellow members of the General Assembly to pass the common sense gun safety laws that will protect our children and residents from the vile and reprehensible acts recently experienced in Texas and Buffalo,” said Chairwoman Alzate.

            Chairwoman Alzate advocated for the following bills to be approved:

·         2022-H 6614 – Would prohibit the sale and possession of high-capacity magazines.

·         2022-H 7358 – Would generally prohibit people from openly carrying loaded rifles and shotguns on public roads and highways.

·         2022-H 7300 – Would require gun owners to securely store their firearms when not under their immediate control.

·         2022-H 6615 – Would prohibit the future sale and possession of assault weapons while providing a path for current owners of assault weapons to keep them.

·         2022-H 7457 – Would raise the age to purchase rifles and shotguns to 21.

            Members of the caucus in attendance included Reps. Liana Cassar (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence) and David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) and Sens. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence), Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Jonathon Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket) and Cynthia Mendes (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket).            

            Joining the members of the caucus at the press conference were House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence) and Reps. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston), Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown), June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown), Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown), Teresa A. Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, Narragansett, South Kingstown), Michelle E. McGraw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) and Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence).

            Governor Daniel McKee and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea were also in attendance.

            The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus represents and advocates for the interests of disadvantaged people throughout the State of Rhode Island. It seeks to increase a diverse participation and representation in all levels of government. The goal is to close, and ultimately to eliminate, disparities that still exist between white and non-white Americans in every aspect of life.