Rhode Island Bill for Firearm Registration

[JohnyMac]

I was just communicating with WhiskeyJack via Text and he informed me that there is a Bill in Rhode Island state House to force all citizens of the state to register each firearm in their possession with the state. The fee would be $100- per weapon.

I think there is only two folks on this forum that live in RI; however, a bill like this one will be coming to your state in the foreseeable future. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext13/housetext13/h5573.pdf

IMO, this bill is illegal as it goes against the RI Constitution: Article I Section 22. Right to bear arms. -- The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/RiConstitution/ConstFull.html

The constitution can be amended however it must be put to the citizens of the state at the next general voting election. There is no general state election scheduled until November 4, 2014. If The majority of both state houses can call for an earlier general election though. To amend the states constitution only a simple majority is needed not 3/4 of the states as in the U.S. Constitution.

Again, this is coming to a state near you.  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

[Kentactic]

Thanks for the heads up JM. This gun control thing is scattered across the country, not limited to the typical states (CA, IL, NY) anymore. This trend wont be going away on its own. It will eventually reach YOUR state. where ever it may be.

[crudos]

I suspect there will be looks of courts looking at the hasty decisions rendered all over the nation. Can't see any of them standing for very long.

[WhiskeyJack]

Been watching this one closely.i don,t think it can pass, but I'm concerned they willtry to horse trade for other regulations that they really want. Needless to say, the people Ive been talking to that are against this bill plan to use civil rights violations lawsuits to fight this. Our state cannot afford to operate as it is, so people figure to hit the state in the check book. And ourvery weak willed Governor is at a less that 20% approval rating. And this is the first term. He is a notorious self preservationist. But we will see.

[CrystalHunter1989]

And this is coming from one of the only states that rejected the 18th Amendment...

[JohnyMac]

Yeah Crystal and that is how Joe Kennedy made all of his money - Defending Bootleggers and gangsters.

A historical sidebar: The town I live in, in RI, was known for smuggling booze into the country. The older houses on my road (Pre-1930) were used as warehouses for booze. I do not know how old my house is however there is a picture of it on the Sakonnet River taken in 1902.

When I was part of the Coastal Commission, there was a member of the Commission that was older than dirt. He told me that our street was called gin road at one time.

Rhode Island is known for it's pirate and anti establishment past. To bad they have become so 'feminized.'