OUR MISSION
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV) is a coalition of organizations, activists, advocates, educators, legislators, and community members who address gun violence as an urgent public health issue. Since 2013, RICAGV has utilized the collective power of its membership and grassroots organizing methods to advance programs and policies that will reduce gun violence resulting in safer, healthier Rhode Island communities.
Gov. McKee Signed the Safe Storage Bill!
After years of your advocacy and organizing, Rhode Island now has one of the strongest secure storage laws in the country. It is the ninth gun safety bill passed in the state since RICAGV was founded in 2013. A special thanks to bill sponsors and gun safety champions Senator Pam Lauria and Representative Justine Caldwell!
This is a strengthened version of Rhode Island’s previous firearm storage law, and requires all gun owners to securely store their guns when not in use, either in a safe or a container or with a safety device to prevent unauthorized access. It includes a gun safety education component which requires gun dealers to both post signs and give information to people who purchase guns about secure storage, suicide prevention, and Rhode Island’s gun safety laws. It also requires school districts to give information to students and their families.
Lives will be saved!
SECURE STORAGE PASSES SENATE!
On March 19th the Senate voted 28-7 in favor of secure storage. We are grateful for all of our volunteers, survivors and partners who made this happen. We are one step closer to a safer Rhode Island.
Now to the House!
Read all about it in our News Section.
Help us fight the pro-gun lobby at the State House!
Every dollar you give goes toward helping prevent gun violence in RI!
Highlights from the Blog
RICAGV Responds to Tragic Mass Shooting at Brown University
As a community, a city, and a state, we are shattered. An assailant took the lives of two students at Brown University and injured nine others. This is the third month in a row this country has experienced a mass shooting and the 75th shooting on a school campus this year.
Oscar-Nominated Film Screening of “Death by Numbers”
RICAGV hosted the Rhode Island debut screening of “Death By Numbers.” Held at the Providence Public Library the Oscar nominated film, directed by Kim A. Snyder, was attend by writer and participant Sam Fuentes who spoke with the audience at a Q&A session that followed.
Taking a Step in the Right Direction for Gun Safety in RI!
Thank you to all of the advocates and partners who joined us in Governor McKee’s State Room on Thursday, June 26th, to mark the passage of the “Unlawful Sale of Prohibited Firearms Act.”
Legislative Update ~ A Message To RICAGV Supporters
We are endlessly grateful for your effort and support, especially during the final weeks of the legislative session! And, we are so proud to have persisted – together – throughout the process to pass an assault weapons ban for Rhode Island. We never strayed from our vision for the strongest, life-saving legislation possible and have done everything in our power to reach it.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, in third bout with cancer, is resolute about his role.
As a proud − and some close to him say “stubborn” − 75-year-old Italian man who has been a part of Rhode Island’s political life for more than four decades, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio was not keen on talking about his health − or the very private conversation he had about it with his No. 2.
401GIVES DAY IS 4/1
We need YOU to join with us in our efforts to decrease gun violence by becoming a fundraising champion for 401Gives Day! 401Gives is on Monday, April 1st, 2024 from 6am 4/1 – 6pm on April 2.
RI Senate approves ‘safe-storage’ gun bill. What to know.
The Rhode Island Senate overwhelmingly approved proposed new “safe-storage” requirements for guns on Tuesday night, despite warnings from a handful of Senators that the law will put law-abiding gun owners at risk “when seconds count.”
Safe weapons bill passes through Rhode Island Senate
After advancing out of committee through a partisan vote the week prior, the Democratic-led Rhode Island Senate on Tuesday approved legislation that would require gun owners to safely store their firearms when not in use.
It’s Time to Vote!
We were proud to stand with a diverse group of Rhode Island faith leaders and our partners at Moms Demand Action in the fight to pass our secure storage and assault weapons ban legislation….
Three Gun Safety Laws Signed in 2022!
Governor Dan McKee signed key reforms into law:
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Limiting magazines to 10 rounds
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Raising the age to buy long guns and ammunition from 18 to 21
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Prohibiting loaded long guns in public
Gun Safety Reform is Constitutional
In 2008, District of Columbia v. Heller affirmed:
“the [Second Amendment] right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.”
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