While it won’t yet be official as of the time of this writing, we have learned from credible sources that a bill currently in the Rhode Island legislature that would strengthen and bolster the responsible, safe storage of firearms is likely to pass by today’s print deadline.

The bill, H7373 in the House (introduced by Rep. Justine Caldwell), and S2202 in the Senate (sponsored by state Sen. Pam Lauria), takes the existing safe storage law in Rhode Island and strengthens it with additional expectations for gun owners and by enacting increasingly penalties for infractions of that law.

This bill carefully fulfills the intended definition of so-called “common sense gun legislation” that is so often touted by gun control advocates, but which all too often results in amorphous or overly broad legal language that reduces the efficacy of those intentions.

In this instance, this bill clearly demonstrates that it is a gun owner’s responsibility to prevent their firearm from falling into the hands of anyone who should not have access to it; be that a child or a person who is not legally allowed to have a gun. It sets an expectation that gun owners realize the incredible responsibility that comes with owning a gun, and that serious consequences will be realized if that responsibility is neglected, be it a small fine for a small offense or a potentially lengthy prison term if their gun is used to commit a crime by someone who should not have been able to access it.

More than simply legislate these expectations without further explanation, the bill also makes serious strides to increase education and awareness around the topic, requiring licensed dealers to include gun locks for shotguns and rifles (in addition to pistols, which is already the law), and to display signage (at no expense to them) that warns customers about the inherent dangers that come with owning a gun, and how it is now their responsibility to keep preventable harm from happening at risk of fines or imprisonment. The legislation goes further to require school districts to distribute a pamphlet of information on the safe storage requirement to families each year, furthering the inability for someone to claim ignorance about this important issue.

Those who oppose gun control legislation so often point to the notion that responsible gun owners are the ones victimized by policies that only target irresponsible gun owners. This legislation will do nothing to harm gun owners who already do the right thing by keeping their guns away from those who should not have it, and creates an environment of greater accountability for those who don’t exercise the same level of care.

We consider this bill to be the very epitome of common sense gun legislation that Second Amendment advocates and those who want stricter gun laws should all be able to agree on. If it saves even one life by being enacted, it is more than worth it.