News Summary
Rhode Island has enacted a law prohibiting the manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of certain military-style weapons to enhance safety. Signed by Governor Dan McKee, the legislation aims to curb access to high-powered firearms associated with mass shootings. Legal firearm owners can retain their weapons and transfer them under specific conditions. Violations of the law could result in severe penalties. The legislation is part of Rhode Island’s continued efforts to implement gun safety regulations amidst a national conversation on gun control.
Rhode Island has officially enacted a law barring the manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of certain military-style weapons, including designated semi-automatic rifles and shotguns. Governor Dan McKee signed the legislation, identified as 2025-S 0359A, on Thursday with the primary aim of enhancing safety for children, families, and communities.
The law places Rhode Island alongside ten other states that have instituted some form of prohibition on high-powered firearms, particularly those commonly associated with mass shootings. Notably, this legislation will not alter the existing rights of legal firearm owners, who are allowed to retain their military-style weapons and can transfer them to federally licensed dealers or to individuals outside the state, provided those individuals are legally permitted to possess them.
Under the new law, individuals who violate its provisions may face serious consequences, including up to ten years in prison, potential fines up to $10,000, and the forfeiture of their firearms. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, giving a window for compliance and adjustment.
Support and Opposition
Supporters of the law, including Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, argue that the measure is necessary for curbing the spread of dangerous weapons often categorized as weapons of war. The bill was a key topic during extended testimony in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which featured input from various advocates and experts in the field of gun safety and violence prevention.
In addition to this recent measure, Governor McKee has previously enacted several other gun safety regulations in the state. This includes restrictions on large-capacity magazines, the establishment of safe storage requirements for firearms, increasing the legal purchasing age for firearms, and prohibiting the open carry of loaded rifles or shotguns in public spaces.
Despite the backing from a majority of Rhode Islanders, the law has faced criticism. Some advocacy groups, including figures associated with gun control, have branded it as potentially the “weakest assault weapons ban in the country.” Critics have also scrutinized the terminology used to define “assault weapons” and raised concerns related to Second Amendment rights, asserting that such legislation could unfairly target responsible gun owners.
Context of the Legislation
The push for this legislation reflects a broader national conversation around gun control and safety. Advocates have been lobbying for measures like this for over a decade, and while Rhode Island leans towards a Democratic political stance that typically favors stricter gun laws, the path to enacting the ban encountered various legislative hurdles.
Moreover, under current federal laws, residents in Rhode Island will be unable to purchase assault weapons from neighboring states, such as New Hampshire, which can often complicate access and compliance. This facet of the law intends to ensure that the impact of the ban is effective and significant at the state level.
As Rhode Island implements this legislation, the ongoing debate around gun control and rights continues in many regions of the United States, highlighting the complexities involved in balancing public safety with individual rights.
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