Rhode Island
High-capacity magazine cases rising in RI. What AG’s gun report shows
RI AG’s gun crimes report shows rising enforcement of magazine limits
The number of cases charged rose from 304 in 2024 to 384 in 2025.
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s annual “gun crimes” report shows that authorities have increased their enforcement of a new law that makes it illegal to carry a magazine holding more than 10 rounds.
Working with police, prosecutors charged 384 of the magazine cases in 2025 compared with 304 in 2024, says the report, which many regard as a kind of barometer on gun control in the state.
A 2022 law limits higher-capacity magazines. Illegal magazines were recovered at the scenes of two recent mass shootings, one at Brown University in December and the other at Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket in February.
Neronha references both shootings prominently and with sadness in his opening to the report, which he compiles each year in accordance with state law.
“Whether gun crimes have trended up or down in 2025 (they have trended up a bit) is almost a moot point when a community as tight-knit as Rhode Island is still mourning in the aftermath of such tragedies,” Neronha writes. “And yet, our Office continues to work tirelessly to address gun violence.”
The report shows that prosecutors:
- Both charged and disposed of 787 cases in 2025 compared with 751 in 2024
- Charged 498 new cases statewide compared with 415 in 2024
- Charged 81 cases involving ghost guns in 2025 compared with 81 in 2024.
Ghost guns and bans on ‘large capacity feeding devices’
The report notes that on Oct. 31, 2025, a judge gave a life prison sentence to 28-year-old Jovon Depina for murdering Jovani Velez with a ghost gun.
A total of 418 of the 498 new cases were charged in Providence County.
On Oct. 23, 2025, 53-year-old Luis Sepulveda was found guilty of murder and of possessing a large-capacity feeding device.
Coalition Against Gun Violence says numbers in gun crimes report are telling
Ariana Wohl, board chair for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, said the volume of magazine cases shows the significance of the new law.
“That’s hundreds of potential acts of violence that were interrupted,” Wohl said.
“Prevention is sometimes hard to recognize,” Wohl said, “because the violence isn’t happening, but these kind of cases help us show that … having the laws on the books matters.”
She acknowledged that the public cannot assume that anyone possessing an illegal magazine will commit an act of violence.
“But it only takes one angry person with a high-capacity lethal weapon to create a real tragedy,” she said. “The point of prevention is not to allow for even one.”
Para Bellum Provisions is analyzing Neronha’s report
Dan Kesler, vice president of Para Bellum Provisions, said he expected an even larger number of magazine cases in 2025.
“So the numbers went up this year for the magazine capacity limit, and I would have expected it would have gone up more than it actually did, because everyone is getting more accustomed to charging those crimes now.”
Kesler’s organization supports the gun-rights community and also provides firearms safety classes.
He also said that actual convictions are a stronger reflection of enforcement activity than arrests and charges.
He said that Para Bellum is working on an analysis of the attorney general’s gun report that will be posted on its website, ParaBellumProvisions.org.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Scottish soccer fan we first introduced you to back in March
has passed through Rhode Island on his remarkable cross-country journey.
Craig Ferguson, 22, is walking from California to Massachusetts just in time for Scotland’s first World Cup match in Foxboro on Saturday.
After more than 100 days on the road, thousands of miles walked and countless steps taken in a kilt, Ferguson’s ‘Tartan Trek’ is almost complete.
“It is such a mix of emotions now. I remember we spoke for, I believe when I was in Colorado when we last spoke,” Ferguson said as he approached Kennedy Plaza on Wednesday. “It’s such a mix of emotions thinking, ‘What am going to do when this is done? It’s so close to being over.”
Supporters greeted Ferguson in Providence during one of his final stops of a journey that started more than 3,000 miles away.
“We thought it would be a great thing to come see him, cheer him on, because it’s a fantastic thing raising money for charity,” said Stephen Nicholason, who is visiting from Glasglow for the World Cup.
“Look at this today. And all along the way, that’s been the theme to this entire thing … Scotland and America showing their support,” Ferguson said. “The Americans as well who have been following me from every step of the way.”
He started his journey at the Santa Monica Pier and after more than 100 days, he has walked nearly 3,000 miles to raise money and awareness for mental health.
Ferguson said he was inspired to go on this journey after Scotland qualified for the European Championship in 2023, and his best friend, Struan, said they should walk to the game.
“That’s the reason behind every single step that I take,” Ferguson added. “I’m doing this for every person who’s ever been affected by mental health, anyone who’s ever lost someone to suicide, anyone who’s ever suffered with mental health issues.”
Joining Ferguson on his journey is his friend Matthew, who’s been following him in an RV to make sure he is safe.
The walk has not been easy, with plenty of blisters, bad weather and other challenges along the way.
“Walking 35 to 40 miles, every single step that I take, I think would put anyone in a very tired position,” Ferguson explained. “I’d say the hardest point was probably coming across the Mojave Desert … we are not built for the desert, especially not walking in a kilt.”
Now, the end of his journey is finally in sight as he expects to arrive in Boston on Friday before watching Scotland play Haiti at Boston Stadium on Saturday.
“You’ve just got to overcome the challenges,” Ferguson said. “That’s what makes getting to moments like this and hopefully Boston so special.”
You can follow his journey on social media and donate to his cause, which supports the Scottish Action for Mental Health.
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Good morning! Happy Wednesday! We’ll see the humidity rising through the day and it will be very humid for the next couple of days. We do have some shower chances ahead, but most of the next few days will be dry.
Dew points will rise into the 60s today…especially this afternoon. Tomorrow, with dew points in the 70s, it’ll be very humid (and the weather looks hot for Thursday, too). The dew points and thus the humidity will drop into the weekend.
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“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-wed-6-10-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
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-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — A motorcyclist was injured after a crash in Warwick Tuesday afternoon.
Police said the crash happened between a motorcycle and SUV on Jefferson Boulevard.
Officers said the motorcyclist, who was not identified, was transported to Rhode Island Hospital.
Part of the street was closed due to the investigation.
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The crash is under investigation.
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