CLAIM:
Attorney General Report Details Problems, Tees Up Lawmakers’ Bills
What does the report tell us about gun crime in Rhode Island?
Neronha’s report spells out the volume in 2022:
● 66 cases involving the manufacture and/or possession of ghost guns with no serial numbers – including 3Dprinted firearms ‘sought out more and more by those who are otherwise prohibited from lawfully possessing guns in Rhode Island,’ the report says.
● More than 100 criminal cases where police seized magazines capable of firing anywhere from 16 to 30-plus rounds of bullets, including one that in June resulted in a 23-year prison sentence for a Providence man who committed ‘an armed assault on a Providence police officer and a robbery with a ghost gun and a 27-round large capacity magazine.’
● 11 cases against ‘straw purchasers’ who obtained one or more firearms for someone prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm. Among the stark pictures Neronha painted of life behind the curtains in some corners of Rhode Island:
● In October 2022, a West Warwick couple were charged after an investigation into alleged firearms and ghost-gun manufacturing.
● Seized were 37 firearms including 3 machine guns, 5 ghost guns, 23 ghost gun kits, 1 pistol with an obliterated serial number, 16 silencers and suppressors, tools to manufacture firearms, about 223 assorted magazines, 3 body armor vests, assorted holsters and tactical gear and hundreds of rounds of various calibers of ammunition, according to the report.
Report meant to prove ‘aggressive enforcement’ of RI’s gun laws
Lawmakers directed the attorney general’s office to produce the annual reports to address the argument each year by gun-rights advocates that Rhode Island does not need more gun laws but rather needs to enforce the laws already on its books.
The report is meant to demonstrate that the attorney general’s office is engaged in ‘aggressive enforcement’ of Rhode Island’s existing gun laws, citing case after case:
● ‘A Providence man sentenced to 45 years with 37 years to serve for possessing an illegal handgun and leading police on a vehicle chase through Pawtucket and Providence;
● ‘A double life sentence for the perpetrator of the 2020 New Year’s day murder of a 54-year-old Pawtucket woman;
● ‘A 45-year sentence with 25 years to serve for a Providence man for shooting and seriously injuring a 26-year-old with an illegal gun.’
In 2022, the report notes: four defendants were each sentenced to serve at least 10 years in prison for a May 2021 Providence shootout that wounded nine people. Investigators seized an arsenal, including over 500 rounds of ammunition and four magazines with capacities above 30 rounds.
When asked for his takeaways from Neronha’s latest report, House Minority Leader – and vocal gun-rights advocate – Rep. Michael Chippendale told The Journal: ‘This is an extremely complex report … that will require study and research.
‘Each of those case numbers reported has to be researched so that the criminal past of the individual offender can be determined in order to delineate the repeat offenders from the one-time offenders. There needs to also be a thoughtful interpretation of all of the various data to determine … any consistencies or trends.’
More stats from the report:
● During 2022, 547 gun-related cases were filed, the vast majority (486) of them in Providence County.
● Of the 416 cases that were wrapped up last year by trial, plea or dismissal, 192 resulted in prison sentences.
● Of those who were sentenced to prison, 11 were sentenced to terms over 10 years, 43 were sentenced to terms between 5 and 10 years, others received lighter sentences and 96 received suspended sentences.
● There were 383 gun-related cases still pending as of Dec. 31, 2022, including cases that dated to previous years.
REBUTTAL:
This Attorney General’s report is being used to justify more gun control laws, but a closer look at the data suggests that Rhode Island’s gun crime problem is more about illegal possession and repeat offenders than a lack of laws. Here are key points to challenge or scrutinize:
1. The Report Proves That Existing Laws Are Being Violated—Not That More Are Needed
- The report itself states that Rhode Island is aggressively enforcing gun laws and prosecuting criminals—which contradicts the claim that new restrictions are needed.
- Ghost guns, straw purchases, and illegal possession cases made up many of the reported crimes, showing that criminals are already ignoring existing laws.
- If criminals are already bypassing current gun restrictions, why would more laws stop them?
2. The Report Highlights Repeat Offenders, Not Legal Gun Owners
- House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale is right to call for research into whether these offenders were repeat criminals.
- Many of the highlighted cases involve felons illegally possessing firearms—meaning they were already prohibited persons under federal law.
- If the problem is repeat offenders, the solution is harsher penalties for violent criminals, not new restrictions on lawful gun owners.
3. The Report Proves That Law Enforcement Is Already Seizing Guns from Criminals
- 547 gun-related cases were filed in 2022, and the vast majority (486) were in Providence County.
- This suggests that gun crime is heavily concentrated in specific areas, not a statewide crisis.
- The report boasts about police seizures of illegal firearms—which suggests law enforcement already has the tools to address gun crime.
- If police are successfully arresting and convicting criminals under existing laws, what’s the justification for more laws?
4. The Report Does Not Show a Need for an “Assault Weapons” Ban
- The majority of the cases involve illegally possessed handguns, not so-called “assault weapons.”
- Banning legally owned rifles will not impact the types of gun crimes highlighted in the report—most of which involve handguns.
- If the problem is illegal gun trafficking and prohibited persons, why push for bans on firearms commonly used by law-abiding citizens?
5. Rhode Island Already Has Some of the Strictest Gun Laws in the Country
- Rhode Island ranks 13th in the nation for strongest gun laws (Everytown Research).
- Despite these laws, the state still sees violent criminals obtaining guns illegally—which proves that restrictions on law-abiding citizens won’t solve the problem.
Conclusion: The Report’s Own Data Contradicts the Need for New Laws
- This report actually supports the argument that Rhode Island doesn’t need more gun laws—it needs stronger enforcement of existing laws.
- The majority of these cases involve repeat offenders, straw purchases, and illegal possession, not law-abiding gun owners.
- The focus should be on keeping violent criminals off the streets, not restricting the rights of responsible citizens.
RI Specific Data:
The 2022 Rhode Island Attorney General’s Gun Crimes Report provides a comprehensive overview of firearm-related offenses in the state. While the report highlights the enforcement of existing gun laws, it also underscores that the primary issues stem from illegal firearm possession and repeat offenders, rather than a deficiency in legislation.
Key Findings from the Report:
- Prevalence of Gun-Related Cases: In 2022, there were 547 gun-related cases filed in Rhode Island, with 486 (approximately 89%) occurring in Providence County.
- Focus on Illegal Firearms: The report details numerous instances involving illegal firearms, including:
- Ghost Guns: 66 cases related to the manufacture or possession of untraceable firearms.
- High-Capacity Magazines: Over 100 cases where magazines exceeding legal capacity were seized.
- Straw Purchasers: 11 cases involving individuals purchasing firearms on behalf of those prohibited from owning them.
Analysis:
- Enforcement of Existing Laws: The data indicates that Rhode Island’s law enforcement agencies are actively utilizing current laws to address firearm-related crimes. The significant number of cases involving illegal firearms suggests that the issue lies more with unlawful possession and trafficking rather than the need for additional legislation.
- Concentration in Urban Areas: The disproportionate number of cases in Providence County points to localized challenges. This concentration suggests that targeted interventions in specific communities may be more effective than broad statewide policy changes.
- Repeat Offenders: While the report does not provide detailed statistics on recidivism, the nature of the offenses—such as possession of ghost guns and high-capacity magazines—often involves individuals with prior criminal records. This pattern highlights the necessity for strategies focused on repeat offenders.
Conclusion:
The 2022 data from Rhode Island underscores the importance of enforcing existing firearm laws and focusing on illegal possession and repeat offenders. Rather than introducing new legislation, resources might be better allocated toward targeted law enforcement efforts, community-based interventions, and programs aimed at reducing recidivism among those most likely to engage in gun-related crimes.
We will be coming out with a more highly detailed report of the AG’s 2023 gun crimes report in the near future. Stay Tuned!