Members of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America at the State House in Providence Thursday. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Rhode Island members of the group Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America join a national "Day of Action" to call for common sense regulation of guns.
At the State House on Thursday, about 40 people joined to talk with reporters and legislators about their personal experiences with gun violence, and to press for passage of gun regulations.
"We are mothers of different religions, ethnic groups and political affiliations. "We are non-partisan," said Aida Neary, co-leader of the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense In America. The group was formed after the December shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut which left 26 people dead, including 20 young children.
"What we advocate simply is common sense gun regulation that will slow the cycle of violence. I said slow. We can't end it, but we'd like to slow it."
Dr. Maggie Kozel of Doctors for America said her group is calling for a number of gun regulations, "including registration, reasonable waiting time, assaults on weapons that have no purpose other than mass shootings. This has to happen. It's the only public health policy that makes sense to keep our children safe."
Members of the group fanned out to talk with lawmakers, and some met privately with Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who has expressed support for gun regulations.
