Why It Matters: On May 14, 2025, “The State Assault Weapons Ban Act” (S. 359) was heard by the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee. A companion bill (H. 5436) had previously mirrored this path in its respective chamber earlier this year. This sweeping anti-firearm package would impact commonly owned rifles, shotguns and handguns with significant penalties and redundant safe storage mandates but granting a “grandfather clause.” This egregious overreach will also have negative implications on conservation funding as we know it.
Highlights:
- Both S. 359 and H. 5436 had debate halted by using a procedural movement “to be held for further study”, allowing for Rhode Island leadership to schedule a vote but stopping any further committee discussions.
- This ban identifies “assault weapons” by using a single cosmetic feature definition for semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic shotguns with detachable magazines.
- The “grandfather clause” to register targeted firearms have a one-year registration window.
Rhode Island’s legislature is trying to be added to the list of states implementing “feel good” firearm prohibitions under the guise of public safety with laws to impact commonly owned firearms used by law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters, but rarely used by criminals, by targeting so-called “assault weapons”.
The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) in Rhode Island will suffer by creating more barriers for law-abiding gun owners to enjoy recreational shooting sports or using their preferred firearm that falls under the arbitrary definitions set forth in this legislation. For most states, approximately 80% of funding for wildlife management agencies is derived through the ASCF model. Recreational shooters make up a significant portion of those funds, allocated through the Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) from manufacturer-level excise tax assessed on firearms and ammunition.
Semi-automatic shotguns and semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines having telescoping, folding or thumbhole stocks, or having a pistol grip, are examples of common features on firearms which would be prohibited under this legislation. Failure to dispose of or register one of these firearms in a one-year window would inflict a capricious penalty of up to ten years in prison or up to $10,000 in fines.
Rhode Island also makes specific mention that these targeted semi-automatic firearms shall not have bayonet mounts or attached grenade launchers. This hyperbolic language serves only to demonize lawful firearm owners and provoke emotional reactions from legislators who do not have knowledge of firearms or federal laws.
A “grandfather” registration process has been included to allow an individual to keep their currently owned firearms if they submit fingerprinting, personal information, identification of the specific firearm, and a fee. This would only allow those firearms to be used under specific circumstances such as at by that specific person on their private property or at a regulated shooting range. Any violation with a “grandfathered” firearm would come with a potential fine of up to $2,500 or imprisonment of up to three years.
The process in which this legislation has progressed through both chambers in Providence utilizes tactics to stifle debate. Both S. 359 and H. 5436 were appropriately scheduled for public hearings in their respective Judiciary Committees. However, a legislative procedure was used to end discussion and give a false sense that this legislation would not progress without further public input with a “to be held for further study” measure. These bills can be brought up at any time by leadership.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has submitted testimony on behalf of Rhode Island hunters and recreational shooters to oppose both S. 359 and H. 5436 as well as worked with the Rhode Island Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to identify next steps on how to protect both access and opportunities for Rhode Island sportsmen and women and protect the unique system of “user pays – public benefits” that is the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF revenue matched and dispersed to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management). Like many other states who have passed so called “assault weapons” bans, legal action may be required to ultimately protect commonly owned firearms in Rhode Island with a decision coming from the Supreme Court. Rhode Island’s legislative session is expected to end on June 20th but this legislation could be called for a vote at any time before then.