Last week, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a substitute amendment to S.84 and passed the bill out of committee. Having previously been held for further study, S.84A now heads to the floor and is tentatively scheduled for a Senate floor vote on Wednesday, June 5. Please contact your Senator immediately and respectfully request him/her to oppose the bill.
S.84A by Sen. Cynthia Coyne would ban 3-D printed guns, however the bill is so poorly written that it confuses “undetectable” firearms with 3D printed guns. The bill even makes references and defines "ghost guns." While this term is a favorite among gun banners because of the scary imagery it conjures up, it has nothing to do with 3D printed firearms. The amendments in the updated version of the bill do nothing to fix it, and this legislation remains objectionable. S.84A could easily ban the home manufacture of firearms or accessories.
This bill is the ultimate solution in search of a problem. There is zero evidence a 3D printed gun has ever been used in the commission of a crime in Rhode Island, or anywhere for that matter. In addition, undetectable firearms have been banned under federal law for 30 years. This is nothing more than political theater. However, because of poor bill drafting, this bill could have serious unintended consequences for lawful gun owners.
Please contact your state Senator immediately and respectfully ask them to oppose S.84A.