R.I. lawmakers consider domestic violence guns bill

PROVIDENCE (AP) — Aproposal to take guns away from domestic abusers and people under domestic restraining orders is moving forward in the state House.

The House Judiciary Committee was scheduled to hold a Wednesday hearing to vote on whether to pass the legislation on to the full House.

The legislation would require people convicted of a crime of domestic violence, including misdemeanors, and anyone subject to a domestic abuse protective order to surrender any firearms they have and prohibit them from acquiring more. Domestic violence prevention advocates have said momentum has been building for passage of the bill this month after several years of debate. Tweaks have been made to address lawmakers' concerns.

Guns rights groups have opposed the bill, saying it's too broad and doesn't leave judges with enough discretion to decide whether someone on a restraining order should be disarmed. But the legislation has a powerful ally in Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello, who said he is traditionally supportive of gun rights advocates but disagrees with them on this one.

"I support the Second Amendment," Mattiello told reporters Tuesday. "That's the framework I come from. So these are not intended to be anti-gun bills. These are domestic violence protection bills."

He said he has talked to police officers concerned about the safety of people in fear of an abuser who is on a restraining order, but still has access to guns. A similar measure is pending in the state Senate.