McKee Signs Three Gun Safety Bills, But Assault Rifle Ban Dies Again This Year at General Assembly

McKee Signs Three Gun Safety Bills, But Assault Rifle Ban Dies Again This Year at General Assembly

With a lot of fanfare, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed three gun safety bills into law on Tuesday but elusive again was the effort to ban assault rifles.The bill died a quiet death as a group of state senators pressed Senate President Dominick Ruggerio to kill the legislation.

SEE GOLOCAL’S ANALYSIS ON THE FAILURE TO PASS AN ASSAULT RIFLE BAN

 

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McKee Trumpets 3 Bills, Refuses to Comment on Failure of His Top Priority

McKee’s campaign was quick to praise the new legislation, but his State House office has refused to answer questions about the failure on the assault rifle bill.

“Governor McKee is proud to stand with Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and the many families across our country who have been affected by gun violence. The Governor’s stance on this issue is clear: Enough is enough,” said the McKee campaign.

The bills that Governor McKee signed into law today:

- Bans large-capacity gun magazines
- Raises the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition in Rhode Island from 18 to 21, with exceptions for police, state marshals or correctional officers and active-duty military or National Guard members.
- Changes the definitions of “rifle” and “shotgun” consistent with federal law, and prohibits the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public.