Rally supports ban of concealed guns at schools

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 4/23/15

In front of the State House last Thursday more than 300 people held hands in solidarity for common sense gun laws at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence’s (RICAGV) legislation …

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Rally supports ban of concealed guns at schools

Posted

In front of the State House last Thursday more than 300 people held hands in solidarity for common sense gun laws at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence’s (RICAGV) legislation rally.

Jerry Belair, one of the founding board members, said, “We want to pass this legislation. People are stepping up, standing up and speaking out that they want this too. Hopefully they will be noticed.”

The rally quickly became emotional as speakers shared stories of gun violence, choking up at the microphone as they told the audience about getting shot themselves, losing a loved one, or being trapped in a lock down for over three hours as a gunman made his way through an elementary school.

Carmen Cruz was the first to share her story in support of the legislation that would take guns away from domestic abusers.

At the age of 8 she met who would later become her abuser. Cruz would go on to marry this man and have children with him.

During their relationship the abuse continued to escalate.

She said her abuser would carry a gun around her to show an immediacy of violence, an “inescapable” terror.

“A gun was used to make a point to me as if I didn’t know he could kill me with his bare hands,” Cruz said.

When Cruz was finally able to leave the abusive relationship her husband shot her in front of both her son and grandson. She said she is lucky because many people in abusive relationships don’t survive long enough to share their stories.

“We need to take guns out of the hands of abusers,” Cruz said. “Guns and domestic violence are a terrible and deadly combination.”

Myra Latimer Nichols’ first born son, Steven, was a father to a young girl, a graduate of Classical High School and Exeter Job Core. He had even filled out an application to start attending the Community of College Rhode Island when he was murdered in a random act of gun violence.

One night Steven tripped and used a car to balance himself. There was a brief altercation with the owner, but Steven walked away after apologizing.

That night he was tracked and gunned downed. It was 2 days before his 24th birthday.

Latimer Nichols’ last memory of her son is with her granddaughter talking about the importance of education and staying in school

“The loss of my son has left a gaping hole in my heart, part of my life was stolen and my granddaughter’s father was taken from her,” she said.

Steven Pare, Providence’s Safety Commissioner in reference to the legislation that would limit the sale of high capacity magazines to 10 rounds said, “If you need a banana clip you should be out hunting, not on the streets of Providence.”

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza said there are already too many illegal guns on the streets of Providence.

He commended the RIACGV for supporting preventative instead of reactionary legislation when it comes to “common sense gun legislation.”

He believes that the legislative packagewould help to make Rhode Island a “safer and stronger” community.

He also notes that gun violence in Providence is down in comparison to this time last year.

He said that there are 50 percent less gun incidents throughout the city.

He wants to ensure schools are “safe and equitable” to that students are offered the same educational opportunities to deter them from “destructive patterns” in the first place to address gun violence even before it becomes a concern.

One of the most anticipated speakers to advocate for the No Guns in Schools legislation, which would prohibit concealed carry permit holders from bringing a gun onto school property, was Wendy Bowen.

Bowen was a middle school teacher in the Newton school district during the Sandy Hook massacre.

Although she was not at the elementary school, she and her students were in a lock down for over 3 hours for fear that there were other gunmen heading to other schools.

“My students only had to sit through part of the nightmare,” she said. “There were other students who lost their lives that day. No teacher or student should have to work and learn with that kind of fear.”

After losing friends and colleagues during the massacre, Bowen retired from teaching to dedicate herself to gun safety legislation and seeing students have a safe learning environment.

She said that since Sandy Hook there have been 100 other school shootings across the country.

“I am not against guns, but I am for safe gun practices that could spare lives,” Bowen said.

She said guns don’t belong in schools unless handled by a professional law enforcement personnel.

She also agreed with the legislation restricted rounds to 10 because “11 students were able to leave Sandy Hook with their lives because the shooter had to reload his gun,” and students had the chance to run away.

The rally ended with a group of Central Falls school district students singing “All we are asking is give kids a chance.”

Sydney Monstream-Quas, a founding board member of the RICAGV, was surprised and thrilled to see so many unfamiliar faces at the rally.

She said it was inspiring to see just how many people are behind the collation and their legislation.

“I think the take away is that there are people here standing up against gun violence,” she said. “They came to let the state know where they stand. We just need to continue to let the legislators know this it what the people want and people need to continue to let them know.”

For more information on the RICAGV visit their website at www.ricagv.org or their Facebook page.

Comments

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  • Dnotarianni

    It was a rally against lawfully licensed gun owners being able to pick up their children from school. Please get a life. The sign the gentleman is holding says it all " Get another pastime" This is nothing but a thin veiled attack against the second amendment. First the carry permits then all guns? Just read his sign, no reference to lawful gun owners, just a complete ban. Does he think all the gang-bangers will just turn their guns in? We outlawed drugs, hows that working?

    Monday, April 27, 2015 Report this

  • PaulHuff

    1. Gun free zones are dangerous because the criminals, who ignore the law, know they are soft targets.

    2. The statement about Sandy Hook is false. Adan Lanza changed magazines in his rifle and transitioned to a pistol when it jammed.

    3. The Virginia Tech shooter Cho was able to kill 32 people and wound 17 others with 2 semi automatic pistols, a G19 and a Walther P22, and both had 10 round magazines. Virginia Tech was a gun free zone.

    Monday, April 27, 2015 Report this

  • RISportsman

    This rally was held by Bloomberg funded hate groups with the ultimate goal of complete and total civilian disarmament. The photos clearly show children being used as props, holding signs as if they created them, but it doesn't show the person with the sign that says "Disarm the Police". This group has nothing to do with safety, or children. This is not a grassroots movement, it's paid activists covered in astro turf. This is a group funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who also has 4 full time lobbyists at the state house, spending $6000.00 a month (According to the Secretary of States office) in an attempt to buy favoritism within our legislature. So far, there are a couple of "progressive democrats" in his pocket, but how many more will there be? Why would a New York Billionaire be lobbing at our Rhode Island Statehouse.

    I find it disgusting that the Warwick Beacon would print such a one sided promotion and present it as news. There are so many facts that have been conveniently left out in order to push a failing agenda that can only survive on lies and propaganda. This shows a lack of journalistic integrity. Either this is sloppy journalism, where the group rallying was not completely vetted, it's free advertising for an out of state hate group. Either way, it's shameful.

    Wednesday, April 29, 2015 Report this