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    Letter From Police Chiefs to Gov Raimondo on background checks.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    37K views2 pages

    Letter From Police Chiefs To Gov Raimondo On Background Checks.

    Uploaded by

    Frank Maradiaga
    Letter From Police Chiefs to Gov Raimondo on background checks.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 2

    RHODE ISLAND POLICE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION

    PRESIDENT March 20, 2020


    Chief Brian Sullivan
    Lincoln Police Dept.
    The Hon. Governor Gina Raimondo
    VICE PRESIDENT State House
    Chief Richard Ramsay
    West Greenwich Police Dept. Providence, RI

    SERGEANT AT ARMS Dear Governor Raimondo;


    Colonel Mark Knott
    West Warwick Police Dept.
    I am writing on behalf of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association (RIPCA)
    SECRETARY regarding the current state of affairs, where recent events have triggered a run by
    Colonel Michael Winquist
    Cranston Police Dept.
    individuals purchasing firearms from local gun dealers. These gun dealers themselves
    have indicated that they have been flooded with gun purchases over the past week like
    TREASURER they have never seen before, commenting that they struggle to keep up with the demand.
    Chief Edward Mello
    Jamestown Police Dept.
    Many say they have had trouble completing the required National Instant Criminal
    Background Checks through (NICS) due to busy signals while trying to phone in the
    IMMEDIATE PAST checks, which we have learned is due to the massive increase of gun purchases
    PRESIDENT nationally.
    Colonel James Mendonca
    Rhode Island College
    Campus Police Dept. Two police departments, Warwick and Richmond handle a significant amount of the
    gun applications in the state and both have stated that they are overrun with applications.
    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
    Chief Sidney Wordell, Ret. Colonel Rathbun of Warwick Pd advised that his department generally averages
    approximately 28 applications per day up until March 15th. Since then he has received
    404 covering 3 days of sales, or approximately 135 per day. Chief Johnson of
    Richmond Pd indicated he was averaging about 5 permits per day prior to the 13th but
    increased to approximately 20 per day since that time. A survey of other departments
    advise of similar increases.

    The issue law enforcement is having is the requirement under R.I.G.L. 11-47-35 and 11-
    47-35.2 which requires law enforcement to conduct background check of each applicant
    within 7 days to determine if there is any disqualifying information on the purchaser.
    Both statutes further state that if the law enforcement agency conducting the background
    check fails to complete or respond within those 7 days the transfer is allowed to proceed.

    Many law enforcement agencies have reduced non-essential staff from their daily work
    force in compliance with The Center for Disease Control as well as your very own
    recommendations in an attempt to lessen the possibility of infection and spread of the
    COVID-19 virus. Coupled with the extraordinary increase in gun applications, Chiefs
    are struggling and in fact predicting they will be unable to process all of the applications
    within the 7 day period which will result in the transfer of guns to individuals which
    have not been thoroughly vetted as required.
    [Type here]
    Continued: Gun applications

    With the uncertainty of what each day moving forward has in store for RI Law Enforcement
    and the possibility of staffing being further influenced by contact with individuals with
    suspected COVID-19 virus, causing personnel to be quarantined will only cause further delays
    in handling the gun applications.

    The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association is respectfully requesting you consider using your
    executive authority to suspend the 7 day background processing requirement and consider
    extending that deadline to 30 days from the date of the application under both R.I.G.L. 11-47-
    35 and 11-47-35.2. The RIPCA respects the requirements under the law and the right to
    purchase firearms, but due to circumstances beyond their control feel the above request is not
    only reasonable but prudent and has the full support of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’
    Association.

    Respectfully submitted,

    Sidney Wordell
    Executive Director
    RI Police Chiefs’ Assoc.

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