Tamburini talks gun control

Gun control legislation has been the topic of conversation throughout the state and Chief of Police Richard Tamburini offered his opinion on the latest bill that would require individuals to register their firearms.

Overall, Tamburini believes the legislation is good and sees it as “a work in progress.” Still, he knows the reform would only affect law-abiding citizens.

“The people who are not going to comply are the ones who affect the police officers,” said Tamburini.

Rep. Linda Finn (D-Dist. 72, Middletown, Portsmouth), who proposed the legislation, sees registration as a way to assist law enforcement.

“There is no record kept of purchases and by state law, we are not allowed to keep that information,” said Finn. “[This legislation] would provide a way for local police to know who owns guns and be able to track if they should.”

Public response over the proposed gun registration took over the State House last Thursday when more than 500 Rhode Islanders attended Rep. Doreen Costa’s press conference in opposition of the bill.

“Our concerns were well-received,” said Costa (R-Dist. 31, Exeter, North Kingstown). As of last Friday morning, Costa said she had received more than 3,400 e-mails supporting her efforts against a gun registration and mandatory fee of $100 per gun.

Costa sees this bill as unnecessary and ineffective since mandatory background checks, limits on the number of guns one can purchase and a mandatory 10-day wait period are already in existence.

“My problem is you have lawmakers that want to pass laws that have no idea what they are talking about,” said Costa. While the National Rifle Association led a presentation to educate legislators on current practices, Costa said only eight to 10 were in attendance.

In addition to providing a tool to the police, Finn believes a registration could prevent tragedies such as the massacre at Sandy Hook from occurring.

“It would just put up a red flag if someone went out and bought 10 guns,” said Finn.

Tamburini acknowledged that gun legislation has become the topic of conversation.

“Everyone is listening and trying to come up with a happy solution. If that will ever happen, I don’t know,” he said.

Tamburini also commented on legislation presented by the Attorney General’s Office that would prohibit possession of a firearm by a minor without a qualified adult present or the possession of a firearm with altered or obliterated manufacturer’s numbers.

“That is good legislation, good wording,” he said.

Costa believes that instead of focusing on those who legally own firearms, attention should be given to children and the safety of schools, along with the issue of those suffering from mental illness having access to weapons.

“The HIPAA laws protect them, but who is going to protect the children?” said Costa.

Tamburini also cautions law-abiding gun owners.

“A person breaks into a home and walks out of that home with a gun; that’s the problem I have,” said Tamburini. “If you’re going to own a weapon, you have to be responsible.”

While Finn believes in the creation of a gun registry, she knows that more needs to be done.

“I think that there needs to be a multi-prong approach; I think [gun registration] is just a step that needs to be taken,” said Finn.

Tamburini and his force are waiting to see what legislation will come out of this session regarding gun control; regardless, they are prepared.

“Whatever we as a police department need to do to enforce the legislation that is passed, it will get done,” he said.

According to Amy Kempe of the Attorney General’s office, a working group at the state level, consisting of the attorney general’s office, the speaker’s office, the senate president, the governor’s office and law enforcement, has been reviewing current practices with the hope to present legislation addressing the issue. As of now, the group has not presented anything.