On June 5, 2025, the Rhode Island State House passed House Bill 5436, the state’s assault weapons ban, by a 43-28 vote.
The “Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025” was introduced on February 12, 2025, by a coalition of Democratic lawmakers led by primary sponsor State Rep. Jason Knight (D), with co-sponsors including Reps. Justine Caldwell, Jennifer Boylan, June Speakman, Carol Hagan McEntee, Edith Ajello, Katherine Kazarian, Robert Craven, Matthew Dawson, Leonela Felix, and other The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it underwent multiple rounds of debate, amendment, and public testimony before advancing to the full House.
The legislation aims to establish a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, sale, purchase, transfer, and possession of firearms classified as so-called ‘assault weapons’, defined by their military-style features. The bill includes a grandfathering clause, allowing those who lawfully owned such weapons before the law’s effective date to register them with law enforcement and retain ownership under strict conditions. The bill’s provisions are set to take effect on July 1, 2026, giving current owners a window to comply.
Supporters of HB 5436, which include gun control organizations and top Democrats, argue that the legislation is necessary to prevent mass shootings and keep dangerous weapons out of communities.
“It’s really quite simple: keeping weapons of war out of our communities will help prevent mass shootings,” said Tony Morettini, a volunteer with the Rhode Island chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We’ve seen time and again the devastation that follows when a shooter is armed with an assault weapon.”
Melissa Carden, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, echoed this sentiment: “Our advocates and partners have worked tirelessly for more than a decade in the name of public safety and we are thrilled to have made it this far in the legislative process. We are grateful to Rep. Knight and the entire House leadership team for their support of this life-saving legislation.”
Opponents, including gun rights organizations and some Democratic and Republican legislators, argue that the bill is overly broad and infringes on constitutional rights. The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has labeled the bill a “sweeping ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms,” arguing that it “prohibits the sale, purchase, possession, and manufacture of a wide range of commonly owned rifles, handguns, and shotguns.”
House GOP Whip David Place criticized the bill’s potential impact on civil liberties: “There’s a famous saying: those that desire security at the expense of liberty wind up with neither. The history of gun control is a history of fear and the seeking of security.”
State Rep. Thomas Noret (D), a former police officer, expressed concern that the bill could criminalize innocent activities, such as posting photos of guns on social media or informal shooting events on private property. House GOP Leader Michael Chippendale added that the bill fails to address the root causes of violent crime and could expose the state to costly legal challenges.
As of the time of this writing, the bill has passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain. The Senate’s companion bill, Senate Bill 359, was previously held for further study. Given the overwhelming supermajority Democrats enjoy in the State Senate, 33-4, SB 359 has a strong chance of being passed should it be brought before the full Senate for a vote.
With Gov. Daniel McKee (D) at the helm, the assault weapons ban’s passage through both chambers of the Rhode Island State Assembly makes its enactment almost certain should it arrive on his desk.
About José Niño
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.
