PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation that bans the sale and ownership of certain “military-style weapons” in the state.
The bill was voted on by both the Senate and House of Representatives Friday.
The legislation prohibits the “manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of certain firearms, including certain types of semi-automatic rifles, as well as shotguns with a fixed magazine exceeding six rounds, or a revolving cylinder.”
Current lawful owners of the banned weapons would be able to keep them, with special exceptions for law enforcement agencies and federally licensed firearms dealers, who could accept the banned weapons and resell them to other licensed dealers.
Criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating the ban would be up to 10 years in prison, or a fine up to $10,000, and forfeiture of the firearm.
A spokesperson for the General Assembly said the bill was amended to include “more precise” definitions of the weapons that would be prohibited, and eliminated a requirement that owners of grandfathered weapons register them with local or state police.
The General Assembly has approved legislation to ban certain military-style weapons in Rhode Island. The bill now goes to the governor.
Learn more: https://t.co/KLGgK2070H
— Rhode Island Senate (@RISenate) June 21, 2025
There was also an amendment for a voluntary registration program that was in the House of Representatives version of the bill that was ultimately removed.
Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and the Rhode Island chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action said the passage of the bill was a “victory for gun safety.”
“Rhode Island lawmakers just reaffirmed that in an age of political polarization, gun safety can bridge the divide and bring people together around common-sense measures to keep their communities safe,” President of Everytown for Gun Safety John Feinblatt said.
Rhode Island Young Republican Chairman Ken Naylor, Jr. said that the passage was an “infringement on constitutional rights,” and vowed that more conservatives would run for office in the state.
“It is clear that nothing will stop Democrats and their progressive agenda at the state house, not even the constitution can prevent them from infringing on our rights,” he said.
The bill now goes to Gov. Dan McKee to sign into law, where it would go into effect on July 1, 2026.
I’m proud that Rhode Island took an important step forward in protecting our communities from gun violence. I included an assault weapons ban in my budget for this very reason — and as a result, tonight we saw progress.
— Governor Dan McKee (@GovDanMcKee) June 21, 2025
