Rhode Island’s House of Representatives has approved a bill to ban assault weapons in the state, with a 43-28 vote on Thursday. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Jason Knight, is now headed to the Senate for review.
If it becomes law, the bill will prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale, transfer, and possession of certain semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols starting July 1, 2026.
Knight emphasized the role of assault weapons in major mass shootings across the U.S., stating, “We don’t need them here in Rhode Island.”
The bill includes exceptions for law enforcement, military personnel, and current assault weapon owners when the ban takes effect. A recent amendment removed the requirement for owners to register grandfathered weapons, replacing it with a voluntary program for obtaining possession certificates from local police.
Owners of grandfathered weapons will face restrictions on where they can possess these firearms, limited to their homes, businesses, licensed gun ranges, and sanctioned events.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Louis P. DiPalma is sponsoring a similar measure.
