Democrats in the smallest state in the Union are taking a big bite out of the right to self-defense. On Tuesday, the Rhode Island House of Representatives voted 46-24 in favor of a bill that will impose new and draconian requirements on gun owners when it comes to storing their firearms. 

H7373 mandates that every firearm be kept "secured in a locked container or equipped with a tamper resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged in order to render such firearm inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user" when it is not being carried or "can be readily carried by a lawfully authorized user who is in proximity to the firearm." 

The bill imposes a $250 fine for a first offense, which increases to $1,000 for a subsequent violation. A third conviction could result in up to six months in prison and/or a $500 fine. While supporters claim the storage mandate will lead to a reduction in gun-involved suicides and juvenile crime, opponents argue lawful gun owners will feel the bill's biggest impact. 

House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale, a Foster Republican, said gun owners know safety protocols better than anyone and would never want their weapon to fall into the wrong hands. While the bill might be well intended, he said the bill would prevent gun owners from gaining quick access to their firearms.

“It renders private firearm ownership for self defense or the defense of your loved ones in your home absolutely worthless,” Chippendale said. “This is an offense to our American heritage and our Second Amendment and our ability to defend our family.” 

As for preventing suicides, Chippendale said he spoke on the House floor in 2017 after a good friend committed suicide with a firearm. “I get it. I know how that feels, I know the damage it does to families,” he said. “However, that modality that he chose was one of many, and he would have chosen another.”

Representative Patricia L. Morgan, a West Warwick Republican who is running for the US Senate, said legislation would increase safety — for intruders. “All those criminals out there should be thanking you because it benefits intruders and hurts the law-abiding gun owner,” she said.

Unlike some other opponents, Morgan said she does not believe the bill is well intentioned. “It’s just another attack on gun ownership and my ability to defend myself if someone comes into my home,” she said.

“As for mental health and suicide, you’re just putting on this legislation to make it look good,” Morgan said, drawing outcries from advocates in the House gallery.

I think the bill probably is well-intended by most of the supporters, but that doesn't change the fact that it's still an oppressive one-size-fits-all mandate that will inevitably put gun owners at risk of being unable to access their firearm when they need it. There were ostensibly good intentions behind things like Prohibition and the forced sterilization of the "feeble minded", but those were still odious activities on the part of the government... just like Rhode Island's gun storage bill.  

Gov. Daniel McKee has already signaled his support for the bill, which will go to his desk after a concurrence vote in the Senate. If Rhode Islanders want to maintain their ability to access their firearms for self-defense in the home, as well as deciding for themselves how best to store their firearms to keep their family safe, it's going to take litigation to undo the limitations that are about to be imposed by the state's Democratic majority.