Overview

• The Rhode Island Senate voted 28 to 7 in favor of a bill requiring the safe storage of firearms, a move aimed at curbing gun violence among children.
• Senator Pamela J. Lauria highlighted that firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., with approximately 4,000 children shot and killed annually.
• Opponents argue the bill infringes on Second Amendment rights and that most gun owners already practice safe storage.
• The bill mandates firearms to be stored in a locked container or secured with a safety device when not in use, and expands penalties for violations.
• The legislation now moves to the House, where a companion bill has been introduced, signaling a strong push for its passage this session.