Rhode Island’s Attorney General just dropped their 2025 gun crimes report, and it’s a masterclass in selective transparency—omitting critical data on possession-only cases and the specific types of firearms involved in actual violence. While the report touts a supposed crackdown on gun-related offenses, it conveniently buries the stats that would reveal how many crimes are nothing more than law-abiding citizens caught with a legally owned firearm during a traffic stop or minor infraction. No breakdown on simple possession charges? That’s not an oversight; it’s a shield, protecting the narrative that justifies ever-tighter restrictions without exposing the thin gruel of real criminal misuse.

Dig deeper, and the implications for the 2A community scream red flags. By hiding firearm types—AR-15s? Handguns? Revolvers?—the AG avoids debunking the handgun hysteria that dominates anti-gun rhetoric, even as FBI data nationwide shows handguns dominate 70-80% of gun homicides (per 2023 NIBRS stats). This isn’t just sloppy reporting; it’s agenda-driven obfuscation, echoing tactics in states like California and New York where assault weapon bans sail through on emotion, not evidence. Rhode Island’s playbook lets politicians peddle fear without scrutiny, potentially paving the way for more feel-good laws that disarm the innocent while criminals ignore them.

For gun owners, this is a wake-up call: demand full data or watch transparency erode into outright censorship. Cross-state comparisons, like Massachusetts’ more detailed reports showing possession charges inflating gun crime numbers by 40%, highlight Rhode Island’s dodge. The 2A fight thrives on facts—share this, FOIA the missing details, and hold AG Neronha accountable. If they won’t show their work, their report is just propaganda with a badge. Stay vigilant, Second Amendment defenders.