On April 24th, URI’s Senate posted on instagram asking whether or not a rifle club should be a university recognized club/organization, this means that they will receive annual funding. On April 26th the rifle club became recognized as an official club. This is appalling and absurd, in no way should guns have any relationship with a public university. Guns being promoted in an academic setting (regardless if meetings are held on campus or not) is dangerous and obsolete. In 2023 alone there were over 43 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, and 19 deaths due to gun violence. As a student body we have a say on what happens at our university and we should have a role in our safety. 
Sign this petition to get “Rhody Rifle Club” UNRECOGNIZED as a student organization and remove their funding.