Why It Matters: On June 26, 2025, “The State Assault Weapons Ban Act” (S. 359), now Chapter 281, was signed into law by Governor Dan McKee. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) previously reported on an impending ban on modern sporting firearms, the impact it would have on Rhode Islander’s rights, and the negative implications for conservation funding. Despite concerted advocacy efforts by CSF, the Rhode Island Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and many others, the signed version of the bill remains an infringement of Second Amendment rights and an impediment for conservation funding, but the advocacy efforts were successful in stripping out the originally included registration clause. Ultimately, Rhode Island sportsmen and women will no longer be able to purchase, transfer or manufacture so-called “assault weapons” starting July 1st, 2026.
Highlights:
- Both chamber bills, S. 359 and H. 5436, had been clouded in intrigue with legislative procedural moves, new senate leadership and the lack of public input on the final version of the law.
- This ban identifies “assault weapons” by using a single cosmetic feature definition for semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic shotguns with detachable magazines.
- Two of the largest changes from the introduced legislation to the new law focus on the “sale, transfer or manufacture” of a firearm and not possession, if the firearms is attained before July 1st, 2026.
- The second major change is the provision in the original version of the bill text requiring registration of “assault weapons,” was stripped in the final version. Vastly improving this terrible legislation, though still a very bad bill for sportsmen and women in the Ocean State.
Rhode Island is the most recent addition to join 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”.
Members of the Rhode Island Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus tried to educate fellow legislators on the lawful purpose and use of firearms that are impacted by this newest example of Second Amendment infringements. Caucus members pointed out that year after year Rhode Island attempted and passed significant anti-firearm legislation with no semblance of stopping. Rhode Island Chapter 281 builds on past restriction attempts with it’s sweeping language and now mandates the storage of firearms, raised the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition from 18 to 21, and prohibited the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public.
Johns Hopkins University published Center for Disease and Control (CDC) data hallmarking Rhode Island as having the “lowest overall gun death rate” in the country in 2022. With it’s record as the safest state with firearms, Rhode Island deserves legislators focusing on growing outdoor opportunities for sportsmen and women instead of gradually stripping away their heritage and community culture.
The American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) 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. he vast majority of funding for wildlife management agencies is derived through the ASCF model. Recreational shooters make up a significant portion of those funds, accounting for a full 80% of the funding 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. No person shall manufacture, sell, offer to sell, transfer, or purchase a prohibited firearm containing such features. Any person convicted of violating this would be subject to a capricious penalty of up to ten years in prison or up to $10,000 in fines.
CSF submitted testimony on behalf of Rhode Island hunters and recreational shooters to oppose this law as it progressed through both chambers, 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.
Like the neighboring state of Massachusetts, adopting Chapter 135 as their Commonwealth’s so-called “Assault Weapons Ban” last year, Rhode Island will need to look for options such as judicial intervention to ultimately restore their rights. Due to this bill taking effect on July 1st, 2026, it will likely take more than a year before courts weigh in.
