Testimony Limited to One Minute Each for Slew of Gun Bills at RI State House on Friday
Friday, March 19, 2021
The House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on several bills pertaining to firearms on Friday at 1:00 p.m. -- and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Robert Craven is limiting testimony time he says due to the more than 350 people who have signed up to speak.
The time allotted for members of the public who signed up to testify? One minute each.
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“Based on the significant number of individuals already signed up to testify, it is clear that the pandemic is not prohibiting our constituents from making their voices heard,” said Craven. “We welcome feedback from the public, and in order to ensure the hearings are as efficient as possible – and that everyone who wants to be heard has the opportunity to do so – we are making sure the public is aware of the guidelines for testimony. Members of the committee carefully read all written testimony, and it is a very effective way to inform them of your views.”
As of Thursday's 4 p.m. deadline, the committee received approximately 350 requests from individuals who wish to provide verbal testimony.
Craven said the following procedures will be applied: sponsors will have three minutes to speak on each bill. Three advocates who are proponents and three advocates who are opponents will offer three minutes of testimony each.
Members of the public who have signed up to provide verbal testimony will have one minute and 15 seconds to speak. A chime will inform those testifying when they have reached one minute, and they will then have 15 seconds to conclude. First preference will be given to Rhode Island residents. Those unable to provide verbal testimony are encouraged to submit written testimony to the committee members.
The meeting will be televised live on Capitol Television. It will also be live-streamed at www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV.
Bills Under Consideration
* 2021-H 5554, sponsored by Rep. Justine A. Caldwell (D-Dist. 30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich), bans firearm magazines that hold 10 or more rounds.
* 2021-H 5555, sponsored by House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence), prohibits the possession of firearms on school grounds except for peace officers, retired law enforcement officers, persons under contract to provide school security services, and unloaded firearms in locked containers or a locked rack on motor vehicles.
* 2021-H 5556, sponsored by Representative Caldwell, bans the possession, sale, and transfer of assault weapons.
* 2021-H 5639, sponsored by Rep. Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), allows reciprocal concealed carry permits from out of state to be valid in Rhode Island, which is either authorized by the Attorney General or subject to other reciprocal restrictions.
* 2021-H 5882, sponsored by Rep. David J. Place (R-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester), amends the definition of firearms to include tasers, as well as define taser and stun gun.
* 2021-H 5971, sponsored by Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick), creates an appeal for applicants denied a concealed firearms permit/firearms transfer with the right to a Superior Court hearing with all records deemed as non-public records.
Written testimony is encouraged and may be emailed to [email protected]. Please indicate your name, bill number, and your position on the bill (for, against or neither) at the top of the message. For faster processing, please submit testimony as a PDF file if possible. Written testimony will be posted on the General Assembly website as soon as possible.
