The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) is calling on Rhode Island lawmakers to reject a newly introduced bill that seeks to ban so-called “assault weapons” in the state. The legislation, H-5436, targets nearly all semi-automatic rifles capable of accepting detachable magazines, with limited exceptions for .22-caliber rimfire rifles with tubular magazines.

Gottlieb specifically criticized Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, who has publicly supported the bill. In a prepared statement, Neronha argued that there is “no need” for private citizens to own certain types of firearms.

“When Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha declares there is ‘no need’ for a private citizen to own a certain type of firearm,” Gottlieb remarked, “one has to wonder who put him in charge of determining someone else’s ‘need.’ Besides, the Second Amendment is not about anyone’s ‘needs,’ it’s about rights. It is actually the cornerstone of the Bill of Rights.”

The CCRKBA is urging Rhode Island gun owners and grassroots activists to oppose H-5436 by contacting their local representatives and demanding a “No” vote.

“We’re encouraging Rhode Island gun owners and grassroots activists to vigorously oppose H-5436,” Gottlieb said. “They should immediately contact their local representatives and ask for a ‘No’ vote, and send a message to the General Assembly that banning whole classes of firearms is not the way to reduce violent crime or tragedy resulting from negligence.”