Politifact: Cicilline, Kennedy put to the test

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Our news partners at the Providence Journal continue to put public officials to the test, using the truth-o-meter.

The Politifact team helps you see through the spin, rating statements made by political candidates from true to false, to pants on fire.

First, a quote from democratic Congressman David Cicilline. In a speech about gun control, Cicilline said. "More than 40% of sales nationally are made without background checks."

This was ruled only half true.

"You hear this 40% figure a lot and it basically comes from a 1997 study that comes from 1994 data. It's very old. Some people say it's perhaps accurate, but others say it's not. So we will call it half true," said Tim Murphy of the Providence Journal.

Next, a statement from former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. In Kennedy's recent statement on medical marijuana he said, "80% of those who have applied for licenses have no cancer, no Parkinson's disease or glaucoma. They have nothing you would associate with the use of medical marijuana."

Tim Murphy says this statement is half true.

"This is a two part statement and in the first part former congressman Kennedy is right. Very small percentage of people with medical marijuana cards have cancer and glaucoma. However the second part, people associate using marijuana for conditions associated with it. That's simply not true. Chronic pain is one of the most common, it's accepted by states. We ruled this half true."

Finally, a quote from democratic representative Peter Palumbo. In a news release announcing proposed legislation to fine drivers with pets in their laps, Palumbo said, " Driving with a dog in your lap in dangerous, in part because it could fly forward in a crash, an 80 pound dog at only 30 mph packs a 2,400 pound punch."

"Well driving with a dog in your lap is dangerous, but it's not because that dog will fly around. If that dog is in the back seat it could fly around, if it's in your lap it's probably not going to. Driving with a dog in your lap is a distraction. We ruled this half true," said Murphy

You can see the complete list of Politifact statements and ratings on the Providence Journal's website .