If passed, the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 would ban the sale, purchase and possession of assault weapons.
The “Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025” is a proposed bill aimed at restricting the sale, manufacture, import, and transfer of certain semi-automatic rifles, often referred to as “assault weapons”. The act defines these weapons and limits the size of ammunition feeding devices. The bill is intended to “address gun violence and reduce the risk of mass shootings”
The bill calls for a penalty of up to ten years in prison, or a fine of up to $10,000.
The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on the controversial bill.
There are mechanisms being discussed that would allow for residents already owning assault weapons to keep them.
The bill was previously heard in the house judiciary committee, which sparked protests between gun owners and gun control advocates.
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence is asking members to submit written testimony and testify in the hearing.
After the house hearing in March, the group backed the bill.
Interested residents are being asked to wear orange in support of the ban.
Ahead of today’s hearing, Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, a critic of the bill, will join a group of gun owners and Second Amendment Supporters for a press conference.
The assault weapons ban is not the only gun-related bill the committee will consider Wednesday afternoon.
Senator de la Cruz has also introduced a bill that would allow legally certified gun owners the right to sue a business or organization for not allowing them to bring a gun inside.
Senator de la Cruz’s press conference is at 1 p.m. at the state house library.
The senate judiciary committee hearings on the ban and other bills is at 2 p.m.
Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025
This act would establish the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025. The act would define various assault weapons and would restrict the manufacture, sale, purchase, and possession of these assault weapons. The act would allow the owner of an assault weapon lawfully possessed on or before the effective date of this act to have one year from the effective date of this act to register that weapon and obtain a certificate of possession.
This act would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Check Out The Full Legislation in detail HERE