Latest news with #Knight
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- General
- Yahoo
R.I. House committee advances assault weapons ban in historic 12-6 vote
Rep. Jason Knight, second from left, explains his bill banning the sale and manufacture of assault-style weapons in Rhode Island before the House Committee on Judiciary on June 3, 2025. To his left: Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat who voted against advancing the bill. To Knight's right: Committee Chairman Robert Craven and Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) After years of stalling at the committee level, legislation banning the sale and manufacturing of assault-style weapons in Rhode Island starting in July 2026 is headed to the House floor for the first time in legislative history. The House Committee on Judiciary voted 12-6 Tuesday to advance the amended bill by Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, for consideration by the full chamber on Thursday. The historic vote drew rare attendance from Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski, who used their ex-officio role on all House Committees to participate in the vote. All of the state's general officers have already expressed support for the bill. 'This is a very historic and important bill,' Shekarchi told reporters after the meeting. 'It's a bill that accomplishes what we wanted to do: To take these weapons off the street.' Knight's bill would prohibit the sale and manufacturing of assault-style shotguns, handguns, and rifles beginning July 1, 2026. Violators of the proposed ban would face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 and forfeiting their assault-style weapons. The bill applies to any semiautomatic firearm that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one attachment such as stocks, pistol grips, and barrel shrouds. Certain .22 caliber rimfire rifles and Olympic-style target pistols would remain exempt from the proposed ban. Yes votes came from Chairman Robert Craven, a North Kingstown Democrat; Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat; Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat; Rep. Edith Ajello, a Providence Democrat; Rep. José Batista, a Providence Democrat; Rep. Justine Caldwell, an East Greenwich Democrat; Rep. Julie Casimiro, a North Kingstown Democrat; Rep. Cherie Cruz, a Pawtucket Democrat; Rep. Matthew Dawson, an East Providence Democrat; Rep. Leonela Felix, a Pawtucket Democrat; House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski, a Providence Democrat; and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat. No votes came from Rep. David Bennett, a Warwick Democrat; Rep. Arthur Corvese, a North Providence Democrat; Rep. Marie Hopkins, a Warwick Republican; Rep Thomas Noret, a Coventry, Democrat; Rep. David Place; a Burrillville Republican; and House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale, a Foster Republican. Knight said the latest definition was based on feedback the committee received during the bill's initial hearing on March 29. But lawmakers — both Republican and Democrat — still voiced numerous concerns with the amended legislation Tuesday, while gun rights advocates in yellow T-shirts listened silently in the audience. Rep. David Bennett, a Warwick Democrat, asked if there were any carveouts for orthopedic pistol grips. No, Knight responded. 'That's too bad,' Bennett said. But Knight said gun owners can still purchase firearms with any of the outlawed features if they are purchased ahead of the proposed ban, along with any firearm passed down through a family. Firearm owners can voluntarily register their weapons with state and local police in order to receive a certificate of possession. Knight's original bill had mandated that grandfathered weapons be registered, which Second Amendment advocates called unconstitutional. The voluntary certification did not appease House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a Foster Republican. He argued that certification would be necessary to prove ownership in the event of a police arrest. 'That sounds like a registry with a different name,' Chippendale said. Rep. Thomas Noret, a Coventry Democrat, said he was concerned that the bill could criminalize people who post photos of themselves with guns they don't own on social media. 'That mere second that they possess it — it could potentially ruin their lives,' he said. Knight responded that law enforcement already uses social media posts as evidence and that police always have the discretion to not file charges. Rep. David Place, a Burrillville Republican, argued that passing the bill will not reduce gun violence, and suggested it would disproportionately penalize people of color. 'No one that looks like me is going to be sent to jail for this bill unless I fire on somebody who comes to my door,' he said. 'We move this bill out of fear at the expense of individual liberty.' Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers called Knight's legislation 'a political Trojan horse.' 'It's designed to look like public safety, but it's nothing more than government overreach wrapped in fear-mongering,' Powers said in a statement. 'They're hoping you won't notice your rights being stripped away, one inch at a time.' Gun safety advocates celebrated the committee's vote. 'Our advocates and partners have worked tirelessly for more than a decade in the name of public safety and we are thrilled to have made it this far in the legislative process,' Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, said in a statement. Tony Morettini, legislative chapter lead for Moms Demand Action, said he's hopeful the bill will clear the full House. 'A chamber passing it sends a big message,' he said. That message, he said, will be directed across the rotunda to the Rhode Island Senate where the proposal remains uncertain. Companion legislation filed in the Senate by Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, has 23 additional sponsors, including Senate President Valarie Lawson. DiPalma's bill was heard by the Senate Committee on Judiciary on May 14 where it was held for further study. Three Democrats who serve on the committee voiced opposition to the proposal during the initial hearing on DiPalma's bill. Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat and federal firearms dealer, has also voiced opposition to banning assault-style weapons as initially drafted. Lawson did not immediately respond to request for comment on where the proposed ban lies on her list of priorities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
Hilary Knight tops list of unprotected players available to PWHL expansion teams
Boston Fleet captain and MVP candidate Hilary Knight heads a star-caliber list of players left unprotected by their respective teams in being made available to the PWHL's expansion franchises in Seattle and Vancouver. Among the other high-profile players left unprotected in a list released by the league on Tuesday were Minnesota's Kelly Pannek and Grace Zumwinkle, New York's Alex Carpenter, Ottawa captain Brianne Jenner and veteran defenseman Jocelyne Larocque and Toronto's Sarah Nurse. The release of the list opens the first part of the PWHL's two-phased roster-building process, which opens with a five-day exclusive signing window Wednesday. It will be followed by an expansion draft on Monday. Seattle and Vancouver can sign up to five players each, and will then fill out their remaining first 12 roster spots in the expansion draft. The wealth of talent being made available is a result of the PWHL placing an emphasis on ensuring its two newest teams can be competitive for the league's third season expected to open in November. The PWHL limited its six existing teams to protecting just three players, with the ability to add a fourth once they lose two players. The six teams will lose four players each in the expansion process, after which all eight teams will participate in the PWHL draft on June 24. Knight is coming off a stellar season in which she had 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) to finish tied for the league lead with New York rookie Sarah Fillier. And it comes as Knight, who turns 36 in July, is winding down her international career upon announcing the 2026 Winter Games will be her fifth and final representing the United States. Knight intends to continue her PWHL career, and could be open to a move to the Pacific Northwest given she makes her offseason home in Idaho. Knight is also familiar with Seattle GM Meghan Turner, who spent the past two seasons as the Fleet's assistant GM. The list of unprotected players include five of the six selected in the first round of last year's draft in Ottawa's Danielle Serdachny, Minnesota's Claire Thompson, Boston's Hannah Bilka, Montreal's Cayla Barnes and Toronto's Julia Gosling. Thompson's future is uncertain as she has yet to announce whether she plans to resume pursuing her medical degree at NYU after being scheduled to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Games in February. She has ties to Vancouver general manager Cara Gardner Morey, who coached Thompson as Princeton. Both expansion teams will have numerous goaltending options, with New York's Corinne Schroeder, Minnesota's Nicole Hensley, Ottawa's Emerance Maschmeyer and Toronto's Kristen Campbell available. Boston protected goalie Aerin Frankel, defenseman Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller. The defending champion Frost protected captain Kendall Coyne Schofield, forward Taylor Heise and defenseman Lee Stecklein. New York protected Fillier and defensemen Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Montreal protected goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens and forwards Marie-Philip Poulin and Laura Stacey. Ottawa protected forward Emily Clark, goalie Gwyneth Philips and defenseman Ronja Savolainen. Toronto protected captain Blayre Turnbull, forward Daryl Watts and defenseman Renata Fast. The PWHL also issued a list of prospective unrestricted free agents, who are available to the expansion teams during the signing period, but not eligible to be drafted. The group includes the PWHL's inaugural season MVP, Toronto's Natalie Spooner, Boston's Susanna Tapani and Minnesota's Liz Schepers, who has scored the Walter Cup Finals series-clinching goal in each of the past two years.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
RI assault weapons ban moves forward after committee vote
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A controversial proposal to ban assault weapons in Rhode Island faced a pivotal hurdle Tuesday, advancing out of the House Judiciary Committee in a 12-6 vote. The vote comes after months of debate and years of failed attempts to pass similar legislation. In the final moments of Gov. Dan McKee's annual State of the State address, he pledged to increase efforts to outlaw assault-style weapons, and later included a ban in his FY26 budget proposal. While fully automatic weapons, such as machine guns, are already illegal in Rhode Island, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 (H5436) would prohibit the purchase, sale, manufacturing, and possession of certain weapons, including semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols that meet a specific 'feature test.' What guns are included in Gov. McKee's 'assault weapons ban'? Rep. Jason Knight, a sponsor of the bill, said the long-term goal is to reduce the number of such weapons in circulation. 'If a person owns a weapon already or by the date the ban goes into effect has bought one by then, those weapons are grandfathered. Those people don't need to do anything at all to remain legal,' Knight said. He also pointed to a new 'grandfather clause' added to the legislation, which allows Rhode Islanders who own assault-style weapons as of July 1, 2026, to legally keep them without having to register. Owners will have the option to voluntarily register their weapons with police in order to receive a certificate of possession, though Knight emphasized law enforcement won't keep any official record. 'Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but in one year, five years, ten years, it would make it harder for people with evil intent and to get their hands on those weapons, and to misuse them,' Knight said. RELATED: Gun control advocates hold rally to push for stricter laws in RI A previous version of the bill included a mandatory registry, but Knight said that was scrapped after pushback from critics. 'There were strong feelings in opposition of the registry,' he said. 'So, we just went back to the drawing board and said, 'Is there another mechanism that we can use to accomplish the same thing?'' The legislation also carves out exemptions for Olympic-grade pistols and does not apply to standard handguns, shotguns or hunting rifles. Knight reiterated that the intent is not to infringe on gun owners' rights, but to prevent potential mass violence. 'These weapons are the preferred weapons of mass shooters,' he explained. 'I think it's up to the legislature to do everything we can to minimize the chance of, God forbid, something like that happening here in Rhode Island.' Knight also dismissed concerns about the bill's constitutionality, citing similar laws upheld in other states, including Maryland's, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to review. He expressed confidence in the House's decision hopes the Senate follows their footsteps to approve the measure, adding that public opinion is increasingly on their side. 'I'm glad that the politics are finally catching up to where the voters are,' he said. Or at least, they're catching up to where some of the voters are. Others, not so much. House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale criticized the bill, describing it as 'an overreach of government authority' and warned it would trigger costly legal battles at the taxpayers' expense. 'The cost of defending this constitutionally questionable law could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, with no guarantee of success,' Chippendale said in a statement. He also claimed the bill fails to address the root causes of gun violence, and targets law-abiding citizens instead. According to Chippendale, the new ban would further reduce federal conservation funds and simultaneously damage state businesses who manufacture parts for firearms. 'This legislation is misguided, legally vulnerable, economically harmful, and publicly unpopular,' he said in a statement, calling on the full House to reject the proposal when it comes to the floor. Will Worthy, president of Big Bear Hunting and Fishing as well as the Range RI, argued that lawmakers haven't fully clarified how the law would work in practice or how it aligns with federal firearm regulations. 'They make laws without understanding how it's going to be played live with the citizens of Rhode Island,' Worthy said, adding that people still enter his store, confused about the ongoing high-capacity magazine ban. He also voiced concern that the public hasn't been properly informed about the proposal. 'I bet you the majority of Rhode Islanders have no idea this is going on right now,' he said. 'This is going to affect hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and not everybody is going to understand what's happening with this bill.' The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAGV) celebrated the passage out of the House Judiciary Committee. 'Our advocates and partners have worked tirelessly for more than a decade in the name of public safety and we are thrilled to have made it this far in the legislative process,' RICAGV Executive Director Melissa Carden said. 'We are grateful to Rep. Knight and the entire House leadership team for their support of this life-saving legislation.' Everytown for Gun Safety also praised the committee's decision, urging lawmakers to 'quickly pass the critical measure.' 'It's really quite simple: keeping weapons of war out of our communities will help prevent mass shootings,' Tony Morettini, a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action, said. 'We've seen time and again the devastation that follows when a shooter is armed with an assault weapon … How lawmakers vote on this bill will make one thing clear: whether they care more about protecting our children or appeasing the gun lobby.' The bill now heads to the House floor for a vote scheduled for Thursday, where it is expected to pass. The real test lies in the hands of new Senate President Val Lawson, who will determine if the legislation lands on the Senate floor. WATCH: What does RI's proposed assault weapons ban mean for current gun owners? Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
'Old school, new school' – Knight leading by example for Ireland
It was almost the perfect season for Ireland midfielder Jason Knight, as the Dubliner captained Bristol City all the way to the Championship play-offs, only to fall at the Premier League's penultimate hurdle. An ever-present in the Robins' side that finished sixth in the table, Knight's club season came to a close when losing out to Sheffield United in the play-off semi-finals in early May. On a positive note, Knight completed the clean sweep of in-house accolades, as he was named fans, players, former players, and senior Reds' player of the year, following a commanding season leading his side from the heart of the midfield. Knight has taken a short stint away to lick his wounds, enjoy some sunshine, and report back for international duty ahead of two final fixtures, against Senegal on Friday night, followed by an away trip to Luxembourg. "We've had a really good campaign, we fell short towards the end, but a really progressive campaign for the club and for myself as well," said Knight, speaking at Tuesday's press conference. "The first season at Bristol was good, I played a lot of games and then obviously progressed this season, scored a few goals, got assists, and played a lot of games as well. "Probably went into more of a leadership kind of role, being captain. So I've enjoyed it." And Knight said that he is comfortable taking leadership whether at club or country, and feels that it has come naturally to him, as he has always looked to take responsibility on the pitch. "I've tried to do that since I've come in [to Ireland squad]," he said. "I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. "I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up, so it is time for everyone to step up, and that means senior players, and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in as well sort of get into the group and normalise around the place as well. So that's what we have to do as well. "I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that." Missing out on promotion this season, Knight's performances will certainly have gained attention from top-flight clubs, however, while the ambition remains to play Premier League football, he is not looking to force the issue at this stage of his career. "I've obviously had a good season, I'm enjoying myself at Bristol," said Knight. "I want to be ambitious. I want to play in the top division. "But I'm relaxed, if it's now or in the future, that will be. I've just got to keep performing well to get to that point." "Not that I've heard anyway," he added, when asked had there been any interest. "It's been a bit quiet for the last couple of weeks, just with the season ending. It's been a long season, so nothing so far." Sitting next to Knight at the press conference was Ireland assistant coach, John O'Shea, and the former Manchester United and Sunderland defender spoke highly of the midfielder and has been particularly impressed with the consistency that has come with playing every game of the season at club level. And he also spoke about the quality and leadership that comes as part of the package when Knight is involved with the national team. "There is consistency in the numbers," said O'Shea, regarding Knight. "He mentions the games that he has played and it is a case of he is naturally leading now, vocally but also performance and intensity-wise. "If we are doing a drill in training, you know if Knighty is involved in it then it is going to take care of itself and that is brilliant for a coaching staff, to have that and to see that reliability. "It's also a trust to know what he is going to produce for the team as well. He has grown into the role for club and country. "I'm sure there's lots of people looking at him and I'm sure Bristol City are very happy with him too. There's always that element of him being new school and old school, but it is a good school that he is from. Hopefully it continues." As for Knight, there is no place that he would rather be that embedded in the Ireland camp, despite the fact that he is missing out on valuable time away from the hectic schedule of the English Championship. "I could be in Albufeira, you're right," he laughed. "No, look, there's always time for holidays. I know I'm young, but I know these caps and these opportunities are gold dust and I'm trying to grab them as much as I can. "This is the dream, this is where I want to be and I'm excited to be here for these two games and hopefully many more."
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘They're about eight foot tall' jokes Jason Knight as he backs newest Ireland stars to impress with ‘eyes on World Cup'
JASON KNIGHT joked about how he is looking up to giant Ireland new-boys John Joe Patrick Finn and Killian Phillips. But the midfielder now wants to take on more of a leadership role with the Boys in Green so team-mates can look up to him. 2 Jason Knight during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile 2 John Joe Patrick Finn is one of Ireland's newest call-ups Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile Knight's 37 caps make him the third-most experienced member of the squad preparing for Friday's friendly with And the Bristol City captain reckons he must now step up as a leader on the field. The 24-year-old said: 'I've tried to do that since I've come in. I've been a loud character as well, I try and lead on the pitch. So it wouldn't really change for me. 'I've been around a little bit now in the Irish set-up. It is time for everyone to step up and that means senior players and players who have played a lot as well, to help the lads who have come in sort of get into the group and normalise around the place. Read More on Ireland MNT 'Us sort of younger lads sort of matured now, we want to do something with the national team, we want to get to tournaments, we want to be successful in that realm. 'And that's what we've been talking about here. All eyes are on the 'There's probably eight, nine, ten of us that have come in at the same time and now we have 20-plus caps so that is only going to be to the benefit of the team and the country. 'The performances have to back that up as well, and the results. That's what we are going to have to try and do coming into September.' Most read in Football Knight is keen for a leadership role this week as the elder statesman in midfield, with boss Josh Cullen, among others, the summer off. It means Finn, 21, of Stade Reims and St Mirren's Phillips, 23, could make debuts — and 5ft 8in Knight joked the two six-footers give the side a new dimension. He said: 'They bring something different, obviously both the lads are about eight foot tall, which is helpful. Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg 'But really good on the ball, really good around the place and the lads have sort of welcomed them really well. 'So hopefully they play a part and make a difference as well.' Knight relishes the competition for his place from the pair as he looks to continue his own remarkable season that saw him play every minute of his club's league campaign, which included two legs of a He also featured in all the Robins' cup games while, with Were But Knight was delighted to get the call and added: 'I've had a couple of weeks off, got the feet up and got some sun so I'm ready to go. I've got a few games now and I can have another couple of weeks off after that. 'There's always knocks and niggles you can get through but I have been fortunate to get through the season without hurting myself too badly. 'You can always get through a certain pain barrier and get on the pitch.'
