Liz Burke, WPRO News

Rhode Island politicians, local advocates and community leaders came together for a round table discussion on gun violence on Tuesday afternoon.

“We should reinstate the ban on assault weapons. These are weapons of war, whose only purpose is to kill a great amount of people in a short period of time. They don’t belong in the neighborhoods of our cities and towns,” says Congressman David Cicilline.

One of the main focuses of the round table was illegal gun ownership.

“That’s something we need to remember that we’re all in this together and that we can create a safer environment by making sure to get illegal guns off of our streets. Making sure that people who have criminal records do not possess weapons making sure we do everything we can to keep our streets free of illegal weapons,” says Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Members of the Mom’s Demand Action for Gun Sense in America spoke about the Newtown school shooting.

“We are here because we’re tired of watching our children die,” says Aida Nearly. “I have a right to feel safe sending my children to school.”

The Senate will begin debating legislation to address gun violence in the upcoming weeks. The legislation includes stronger background check requirements for gun owners, measures to combat illegal firearm trafficking and school and campus safety enhancements.