Second Amendment Coalition Sues To Stop Gun Buybacks in RI, Denied Request But Claims Victory
The Second Amendment Coalition in the state of Rhode Island moved to court seeking a temporary injunction to stop gun buyback programs in Providence and Central Falls cities. The coalition accused police departments of failing to protect the private property of all people.
Additionally, the group noted that the destruction of stolen firearms was tantamount to evidence tampering and the destruction of personal property without the owners’ consent. Providence City Council passed a resolution demanding Mayors Jorge Elorza and James Diossa to deny amnesty to the people surrendering the guns.
The two cities were rewarding participants with Visa gift cards worth $200 for handguns, $100 for rifles and shotguns, and $500 for stolen firearms. All the surrendered firearms would be destroyed, thus creating an avenue for dumping weapons used in crimes.
In defense of the program, Providence Assistant City Solicitor Kevin McHugh claimed that some of the weapons to be destroyed were stolen almost 30 years ago. McHugh added that stolen firearms would undergo ballistic tests and matched to their owners through their serial numbers. Rhode Island State Attorney General Peter Neronha supported the decision to conduct ballistic tests on stolen firearms to preserve evidence.
Superior Court Judge Melissa Long rejected the plaintiffs’ request, claiming it was an “extraordinary measure.” However, the 2A coalition claimed victory on the destruction of stolen firearms. The group said that it was reassured that the stolen weapons would be returned to their rightful owners.
“They said on record the stolen guns wouldn’t be destroyed,” group’s President and attorney Frank Saccoccio said. “We lost the battle, but we won the war.”
The Second Amendment Coalition’s concerns were genuine. Shockingly, the program advertised for stolen firearms and offered a higher price for the same. This was an incentive for criminals to discard weapons that law enforcement could use to link them to various crimes.
Obviously, the stolen firearms’ owners would want them back; thus, the police have no authority to destroy them. Gun buybacks are very ineffective and have no effects on crime levels. They are only effective in wasting the taxpayers’ dollars.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing universal background checks in our state, and if left unchecked, it will not be long until we see bills like this getting traction in Austin. Texas is embarrassingly ranked 29th for gun rights, and with the help of the political elites in Austin, we will surely rank among New York, California, and Illinois if left to their own devices. Please join our fight today, and help us restore Texas' place as the standard for the U.S.
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