US EditionRI House Passes Controversial Assault Weapons Ban
- On June 5, 2025, Rhode Island's House of Representatives approved legislation banning assault weapons by a 43-28 vote in Providence.
- The bill seeks to ban the production, acquisition, distribution, and ownership of specific semi-automatic firearms in response to their use in deadly mass shootings across the country.
- The ban includes exemptions for law enforcement, military personnel, federally licensed dealers, and current owners, and it removes mandatory registration for grandfathered weapons while limiting their possession to homes, ranges, or sanctioned events.
- The bill imposes criminal penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and prison terms up to 10 years, with supporters believing it can save lives despite expected legal challenges and opposition from some Republicans and Democrats.
- The legislation now proceeds to an evenly split Senate, where its fate remains uncertain but Senate leadership expresses support and plans to bring it to a vote before it would take effect on July 1, 2026.
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Rhode Island General Assembly Wraps Week with Action on Guns, Health, Environment, and Equity - Newport Buzz
Newport Buzz Rhode Island General Assembly Wraps Week with Action on Guns, Health, Environment, and Equity The Rhode Island General Assembly had a busy week, advancing a wide range of legislation addressing public safety, health care, environmental rights, and worker protections. Assault Weapons Ban Passes HouseThe House passed a bill (2025-H 5436A) to ban certain assault weapons in the state. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight, now…
R.I. House passes ban on assault-style weapons - The Boston Globe
New Senate President Valarie Lawson “strongly supports the assault weapons ban legislation” and “will continue working with her colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to try to win its passage,” a spokesman said.
R.I. House approves assault-style weapons ban, sending high-profile legislation to the Senate • Rhode Island Current
Rep. Jason Knight, a Barrington Democrat, defends his bill to ban assault-style weapons during debate on the House floor on June 5, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)The Rhode Island House of Representatives on Thursday approved much-anticipated legislation banning the sale and manufacturing of a range of semiautomatic weapons in Rhode Island starting in July 2026. The 43-28 vote came after nearly five hours of debate and nin…
Rhode Island House passes assault weapons ban
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives passed an assault weapons ban on Thursday. The Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 would prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale, transfer, and possession of certain “assault weapons,” including certain types of semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols, and would levy criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating the ban. The measure passed in a 43-28 vote after an amendm…
RI House passes controversial assault weapons ban
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The R.I. House greenlighted a controversial assault weapons ban Thursday, allowing the legislation to clear yet another major hurdle since the conversation first began more than a decade ago. This legislation, introduced by state Rep. Jason Knight, D-Barrington, passed the full House 43-28 after a nearly five-hour debate. Seventeen Democrats voted against the legislation, along with 10 Republicans and one Independent. T…
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