Dear John,

I want to be clear- violence of any kind in our city is unacceptable. It  will not be tolerated. I said as much during a press conference following the incident that took place on May 13th. The violence that we are seeing across our City reflects a lack of resources- whether it’s educational opportunities for our kids, housing insecurity, food insecurity, or other difficulties associated with poverty. 

One act of violence affects every resident and neighborhood and so we need everyone to join us on the path forward. We know that one strategy or program will not be the fix-all to what we are experiencing at this moment. However, no challenge is too big for Providence. Together we can take the right steps to avoid further harm.

Acts to directly address the violence include:

-continuing years of investments in education and holistic supports; 

-Using 15 million from American Rescue Plan funding for summer jobs and other youth support

-using this unique moment to reimagine the way our Police Department interacts with our residents;

-and above all centering the community's voice in this discussion.

-I am committed to ensuring that resources, like youth jobs, continue to be prioritized; .

Further I am focused on pulling every gun that has the potential to cause harm off of our streets. I have supported the following pieces of legislation in the R.I State Senate in order to reduce gun violence:

RI Senate Firearms Bills

-I recently testified in support of several bills before the RI Senate that would restrict access to assault style weapons and accessories and limit who could carry and where firearms could be carried in public.   

Assault Weapon Ban – S0415

-Bans all semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols that can hold a detachable magazine or more than a certain number of rounds without a magazine; and contain at least one of the other features associated with assault weapons specified in the law (e.g., including telescoping stocks, pistol grips, and others depending on whether it is a rifle/shotgun/pistol)

High Capacity Magazine Ban – S0414

-Bans all firearm magazines with capacities exceeding ten (10) rounds.

Safe Schools Act – S0073 

-Disallows concealed carry permit holders from carrying firearms on school grounds. Contains limited exceptions for active and retired law enforcement.

Safe Storage – Firearms – S0406

-Strengthens the requirements regarding the safe storage of firearms. Mandates secured storage of firearms in a locked container or equipped with a trigger lock.

Ban Open Carry of Rifles/Shotguns – Define Rifle/Shotgun – S0417

-Closes loophole that currently permits open carry of rifles and shotguns on public roadways. Contains an exception for hunting.

Strengthen Penalties for Straw Purchasers of Firearms – Multiple Purchase Notification – S0416

-Clarifies that an individual cannot purchase a firearm on behalf of or to sell/transfer a firearm to someone they know or reasonably should know is prohibited from possessing one (a straw purchase).

We know there is no one single solution to eliminating gun crime, however, the collaboration between our police department and community leaders will be integral in providing sensible solutions to further avoid violence. We have the power to make sure violence is not normalized. Violence is not who we are. Our community will do everything in our power to disrupt this cycle of violence and to support the City’s youth through a productive path.

Best wishes,

Jorge