Rhode Island Lawmakers Push Sweeping Ban on Semi-Auto Guns

Rhode Island eyes semi-auto guns as state lawmakers move to pass a sweeping ban on these types of firearms.

Gov. Dan McKee (D) carved out funding for a so-called “assault weapons ban” in his 2026 budget proposal, with legislation being sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67) and Sen. Louis DiPalma (D-Dist. 12).

“Gun safety remains a crucial public health issue here in Rhode Island and across the country,” McKee said in a press release. “Together, we’ve made important progress in passing gun safety laws, but our work is not over. That is why I chose to include an assault weapons ban in my budget to help move this issue forward. For the safety of our communities—let’s finally get this done.”

The Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 would officially classify semi-auto firearms of various types as assault weapons and prohibit the purchase, sale, transfer, possession, or manufacture of these types of firearms.

The proposal defines assault weapons as:

• Semi-auto shotguns with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding eight rounds or semi-auto shotguns that can accept detachable magazines.
• Shotguns with a revolving cylinder.
• Semi-auto rifles with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds or those that can accept detachable mags with featuers such as folding or telescoping stocks, bayonet mounts, grenade launchers or barrel shrouds.
• Semi-auto pistols with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding 10 rounds or those that can accept detachable mags and features like threaded barrels, barrel shrouds, or the ability to be fired from the shoulder (a.k.a. pistol braces).
• Any gun that accepts belt-fed ammo
• Firearms that have been modified to operate like “assault weapons.”

The bill does carve out an exemption for semi-autos chambered in .22-caliber rimfire with tubular magazines.

What about Rhode Island gun owners who already have a firearm that would fall under the assault weapons definition?

According to the bill, residents who lawfully possess a semi-auto firearm before the act goes into effect would have 1 year to register each of their guns with the state and would be required to obtain a certificate of possession from authorities. The certificate gives gun owners a chance to continue owning guns already in their collection but under specific conditions, such as securely storing them.

FFLs, law enforcement agencies, and police officers would see certain exemptions under the bill.

Proponents of the assault weapons ban say this is a good step forward in protecting residents of Rhode Island.

“Banning assault weapons is a long overdue, common-sense step to address the serious public health issue of gun violence in Rhode Island. Research clearly shows a ban will save lives and make our communities safer. It is supported by a large majority of legislators, by each of the state’s general officers, and by most Rhode Islanders," said Senator Louis DiPalma in a statement.

2A advocates, on the other hand, argue that this is just another example of government overreach.

“We’ve seen similar legislation in other states, all appearing to follow the same general formula, and they all amount to egregious efforts to erode the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, without any reference to arresting and prosecuting armed criminals,” Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Chairman Alan Gottlieb said in a statement.

“Likewise, for the supporters of this bill to claim it somehow is aimed at gun safety is ludicrous. They seem to equate criminalizing firearms with gun safety, which strains common sense and will likely not prevent a single violent crime.”

Gov. McKee has already signed off on a number of gun-related measures, such as the ban on magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, mandatory gun lock measures, and prohibiting those under 21 from purchasing guns or ammo.

If passed, Rhode Island would join a handful of other states targeting semi-auto guns under an assault weapon umbrella.

H-5436 is currently in committee but, if enacted, would go into effect on January 1, 2026.

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