By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Almost predictably, in the aftermath of a fatal shooting Monday at a Rhode Island high school hockey game, so-called “child safety advocates” are calling for tougher gun control laws in a state with some of the strictest gun laws in the U.S. already on the books.
The group Common Dreams acknowledges this tragedy involved the killer and his family members. He killed two people and wounded three others in what appears to have been a targeted attack at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.
WPRI News is reporting that the suspected gunman, who took his own life, has been identified as Robert Dorgan. He also reportedly went by the name “Roberta,” and was apparently transgender. He reportedly suffered from mental health issues.
Common Dreams said gun control advocates “demanded more than the customary thoughts and prayers.”
However, a look at Rhode Island gun laws should leave little doubt the state already has gone the “more” route.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, the billionaire supported gun prohibition lobbying group, Rhode Island requires background checks, bans so-called “assault weapons,” has a “safe storage” law, prohibits bump stocks, has a “red flag” law, bans magazines that hold more than 10 cartridges, prohibits guns on college campuses and at the state capitol, prohibits guns at schools and in bars, and has a lot of other restrictions already in place.
None of these laws prevented Dorgan from entering the ice arena and opening fire.
WPRI noted that a “Samaritan” intervened and grappled with the suspect, thus preventing further bloodshed.
In a separate report, WPRI revealed the shooter had a history of family conflicts related to his gender identity. He had been divorced, had lived for a while in Florida, according to one report, and had quarreled with his former father-in-law.
At this point, it is not clear what other gun control law might have prevented this shooting, or what laws anti-gunners would like to see adopted.
