Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed legislation (2025‑S0359A) on June 26, 2025, marking a key moment in the state’s firearm policy. The law goes into effect July 1, 2026.

What the Law Covers

• Sale and manufacturing ban on specified “assault-style” semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols—mirroring Washington state’s approach.

• Existing owners may retain these firearms, but cannot transfer them except to federally licensed dealers or lawful out-of-state owners.

• The final bill dropped a previously considered voluntary certification/registration program for grandfathered weapons.

• Penalties include up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture.

Legislative History & Public Reaction

• The Senate passed a slightly scaled-back version (25–11 vote) on June 20, focusing on sale and manufacturing rather than outright possession bans.

• Advocacy groups like RI Coalition Against Gun Violence praised the move as a “milestone,” though some, including David Hogg, called it the “weakest assault weapons ban in the country,” arguing it didn’t go far enough.

• Critics including Rep. Thomas Paolino and Senate Minority Leader Mike Chippendale warn it punishes law-abiding citizens and foresee constitutional challenges.

⚖️ Legal & Constitutional Implications

• Rhode Island joins 10 states + D.C. with “assault weapon” bans in place.

• Although the U.S. Supreme Court hasn’t yet reviewed such bans, it recently opted not to hear challenges to Maryland’s assault-style rifle ban and Rhode Island's 2022 magazine-law, effectively upholding lower-court rulings upholding them.

• Yet Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh signaled openness to revisit the issue in the future. This context is critical in light of the Supreme Court’s recent statements on AR‑15s and AK‑47s—described as “widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers”—pointing to possible Second Amendment scrutiny.

Takeaways

• Rhode Island’s new law shuts the door on new assault-style firearms, but existing owners won’t lose their rights… yet.

• With federal precedent in flux and several justices signaling potential reconsideration, legal challenges are likely.

• For security managers, firearms instructors, FFL dealers, and responsible owners: stay alert. This may be the first of many state-level battles that test Second Amendment protections post-2022 Supreme Court rulings.