Rhode Island State Police say weapons violations up 41% in 2023

Rhode Island State Police seized 326 guns in 2023.

And the agency also saw weapon offenses increase 41 percent over the course of the calendar year.

Both the percentage increase, and the overall volume of gun seizures in 2023, drew some attention recently as commanders looked over last year’s statistics.

The agency’s overall operations did not change in any significant way in 2023, but the work of state police intensified as troopers encountered more guns and narcotics, said state police Maj. Ken Moriarty, who commands the detective bureau.

Troopers on patrol encountered some people carrying weapons illegally, but the bulk of the 2023 seizures and weapons violations took place in the realm of counter-narcotics, Moriarty said.

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What do state police caused the rise in guns?

In 2023, he said, it appeared that people involved in narcotics transactions were carrying more guns than in the past.

Also, narcotics-related arrests increased 35 percent generally last year, according to a state police news release. Arrests related to narcotics and firearms carried out by the state police High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force rose 51 percent.

In some situations, police gathered up 10 or 11 guns, Moriarty said. Similar circumstances frequently led to far fewer guns in the past, he said.

The haul of 326 guns, included about 90 untraceable ghost guns.

State police also seized 20 illegal switching devices, which can convert a semi-automatic pistol into a gun that automatically shoots a continuous stream of fire at the pull of a trigger.

Highway shootings lead to additional seizures

A run of highway shootings, eight in all, also led to additional seizures of guns, ghost guns and illegal high-capacity magazines.

State police investigators attached to the agency’s major crimes and technical investigations units have gained some expertise that helps them track down people who open fire on other cars on the highway, Moriarty said.

One of the shootings took place on a ramp that leads from Route 6 East onto Dean Street in Providence.

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In a bout of road rage, a 32-year-old Providence man, who was on parole, shot into a car occupied by four people, according to state police. The shooter was arrested.

In another road rage case, state police said, a 30-year-old East Providence man was arrested after he fired a shot into another vehicle on a ramp that carries northbound traffic off Route 95 at state government offices in Providence.

Four people with ties to street gangs were arrested. Meanwhile, state police, Central Falls police and Pawtucket police worked together on investigations that led to the arrests of another four suspects.

State police Col. Darnell S. Weaver thanked troopers and their allies in law enforcement for their efforts.

“This work yielded measurable results that contribute to the protection of lives and prevention of crime,” Weaver said.