Gun control opponent against law change

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Opponents to changing Rhode Island gun laws say there is already enough gun control in the state.

In a General Assembly with a super majority of Democrats, gun control is not a partisan issue according to one of the state’s few republicans.

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“This issue is not a democrat-republican thing, it’s a second amendment thing if you ask me,” said Rep. Doreen Costa.

District 31’s Costa is ready to fight against one piece of proposed legislation that would require gun owners to register their weapons with local police, charge them $100 per weapon, and fine them or put them in jail if they don’t comply.

“This legislation is a blatant cry upon our second amendment right,” Rep. Costa said.

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Earlier in the session, Governor Lincoln Chafee said he planned on putting together a package of gun control legislation.

The potential changes followed the December shooting at Sandy Hook elementary that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

Costa said she would support laws to make local school safer, but is firmly against restrictions on semi-automatic rifles or lowering the legal number of rounds in a gun magazine from 30 to 10.

“I think because of the second amendment, we should be allowed to have anything we want as long as we’re law abiding citizens. We pass a background check, we do not have any criminal history,” Costa said.

Costa called the Newtown massacre horrific, but points out Adam Lanza was reportedly using his mother’s weapons.

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"Most of the time this happens, the guns are either illegal or involve someone who doesn't have the correct mindset," Costa said.
 

On Wednesday at the State House, an NRA lobbyist and a state police officer will answer General Assembly members’ questions about firearms.