RI House Passes Bill Requiring Gun Dealers to Notify Police in Gun Buyer’s Hometown

RI House Passes Bill Requiring Gun Dealers to Notify Police in Gun Buyer’s Hometown

The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed legislation that would require gun dealers to notify the police in a gun buyer’s hometown as well as the State Police.

“This is a simple matter of improving communication between law enforcement agencies,” said Representative McKiernan. “Local police departments are much more likely to have information regarding the mental health of a potential gun buyer. If there are concerns for the safety of the purchaser or others, then the police in the gun buyer’s community can take steps to keep the other agencies notified and potentially avert another tragedy,” said Representative Daniel McKiernan (D-Dist. 7, Providence).

The measure now moves to the Senate.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The Legislation

The bill (2020-H 1703Aaa) would require gun sellers to forward firearm applications to the superintendent of State Police and the police department of the city or town where the buyer resides.

The bill comes in the wake of an incident last year where a resident of Westerly purchased a gun from a firearms dealer in Richmond and used it to kill the manager of an affordable housing complex.

Although Richmond Police conducted background checks, they were not aware that the buyer had a history with Westerly Police, including threats to buy a gun to kill himself and his estranged wife, which led to a stay at Butler Hospital.