Raimondo announces gun control measures through legislation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is submitting a package of gun control laws to legislators.

Backed by the Attorney General, a smattering of lawmakers, and scores of Moms who Demand Action on gun control, she announced three bills: ban assault weapons, ban high capacity magazines, and ban all guns at school, except for law enforcement personnel.

At Thursday’s news conference, Maj. Mike Jagoda of the URI police, told a story of his experience as a Connecticut state trooper with an assailant who had an assault weapon.

“The bullet that came from that high powerful assault weapon, went right through a metal beam guardrail,” he said. “It went through the driver’s side door of a cruiser, and it ripped through my colleague’s midsection."

Attorney General Peter Neronha said the high capacity magazine ban could save lives.

“If making magazines smaller, so that someone has to reload, before they fire again, can maybe buy one second or two seconds or three seconds so maybe a first responder can take that person out, or someone can get away, then it’s worth it,” Neronha said.

There’s no assurance that the gun laws will pass the General Assembly, which has rejected similar measures in the past.

As far as banning guns in school, to which Raimondo says, “schools are school, there’s no place for guns in school,” NRA instructor Brenda Jacob believes concealed carry permit holders make their environment safer.

“I do not ever feel comfortable leaving my firearm in my truck or my vehicle, especially if it’s 300 feet away from a school. I’m not the problem. I actually feel that my family and myself are safer when I’m carrying,” she told NBC 10 News.

Rhode Island Second Amendment Coalition President Frank Saccocio echoed Jacob’s comments.

"It’s a non-issue. [Raimondo] saying, ‘I’m going to do something great and keep these people off school grounds,’ all she's going to do is make me a felon if I happen to turn around in the school parking lot,” Saccocio said.

He added, “we need some real legislation, real effective legislation that will keep people safe but allow law-abiding citizens to be able to own weapons and to be able to defend themselves."

The General Assembly leadership promises the bills will get a fair hearing.