We wondered how long until this happened. In states where the anti-gun crowd is up against the ropes, they could end the legislative session early or send people home in order to avoid passing pro-gun bills they don’t like. Or, in this case, they’re trying to pass anti-gun bills but don’t want to face hundreds of angry gun owners in the room.
Scapegoat or Real Threat?
That seems to be the case in Rhode Island, where yesterday morning, the House Judiciary Committee put out a press release saying that because they were expecting “a large crowd” to attend the meeting on Wednesday, March 11th, it was being cancelled. Their website was later updated to say that the meeting would be rescheduled at a later date.
Here’s their text in full:
STATE HOUSE – Upon the recommendation of Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, tonight’s House Judiciary Committee hearing has been postponed and will be rescheduled to a later date because a large crowd was expected for the hearing. All other House committee hearings will be held as scheduled this evening.
The following is the statement from Director Alexander-Scott, forwarded to us by Neil Hytinen, chief public affairs officer of the RI Department of Health: “Director Nicole Alexander-Scott is informing the Speaker it is her strong suggestion that as much as possible large events be postponed or rescheduled in order to limit the spread of COVID 19. Because COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within roughly 6 feet), cancelling or postponing large events is an important tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Rhode Island. Measures such as these are most effective at limiting the spread of disease when implemented before a community is seeing widespread transmission. Additional details and guidance on mass gatherings will be forthcoming today.”
So, just to be clear, they’re still having ALL their other meetings. They’re only cancelling THIS meeting. Why? They say it’s because only this meeting is drawing a crowd. Maybe, maybe not. But one thing they aren’t mentioning is that there is a whole roster of anti-gun legislation and gun owners were angry about them!
In fact, the Rhode Island Firearms Owner’s League had planned a big march of their members at the capital for yesterday’s meeting!
What Have You Got To Hide?
What gun bills were supposed to be voted on yesterday?
- Ban new “assault weapons” and require existing “assault weapons” to be registered (House Bill 7263).
- Ban the sale and possession of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds (House Bill 7264).
- Increases the age from eighteen to twenty-one years for lawful possession, sale, or transfer of firearms or ammunition. (House Bill 7327.
- Outlaw the presence of rifles and shotguns in vehicles, visible or concealed (House Bill 7716).
- Requires person selling firearm to require purchaser execute a medical release form for release of medical records relating to addiction to controlled substance, alcoholism and/or mental health illness for a period of 5 years preceding application. (House Bill 7928).
- Ban the possession of firearms on school grounds even by law-abiding citizens and concealed carry permit holders (House Bill 7715)
These are some of the WORST gun bills we’ve ever seen! Crazy Andrew Cuomo would be jealous of some of these outrageous bills. Heck, the devil himself doesn’t have this kind of gun control in hell.
You Expect Rhode Island Gun Owners To Buy That?
Now, when you see what the Judiciary Committee was voting on, and you see that they haven’t cancelled any other meetings and life at the Capital is going forward like normal….now do gun owners still think it was the Corona Virus? That’s a tough sale.