Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the manufacture, purchase and sale of certain firearms, including certain types of semiautomatic shotguns and rifles in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Defines “prohibited firearms” as (Sec. 1):

• Semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines over 10 rounds;

• Semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazines over 6 rounds or revolving cylinders;

• Semi-automatic pistols with fixed magazines over 10 rounds;

• Firearms with folding or telescoping stocks;

• Firearms with grenade launchers;

• Firearms with pistol grips or thumbhole stocks;

• Firearms with barrel shrouds, bayonet mounts, or flash suppressors; and

• Firearms with threaded barrels or belt-fed systems.

• Prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer of sale, transferral, and purchase of prohibited firearms (Sec. 1).

• Establishes penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture of firearms (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes exceptions, including (Sec. 1):

• A person who lawfully possess a prohibited firearm may sell or transfer their firearm to a federally licensed arms dealer; 

• A federally licensed arms dealer may sell or transfer prohibited firearms to another federally licensed arms dealer; and

• A federal agency, acting under the authority of the United States, may buy, sell, or transfer prohibited firearms to licensed federal arms dealers. 

• Establishes a severability clause that ensures if a law is ruled invalid, the remaining provisions of the bill are still valid (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the law’s effective date as July 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits the manufacture, purchase and sale of certain firearms, including certain types of semiautomatic shotguns and rifles in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Defines “prohibited firearms” as (Sec. 1):

• Semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines over 10 rounds;

• Semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazines over 6 rounds or revolving cylinders;

• Semi-automatic pistols with fixed magazines over 10 rounds;

• Firearms with folding or telescoping stocks;

• Firearms with grenade launchers;

• Firearms with pistol grips or thumbhole stocks;

• Firearms with barrel shrouds, bayonet mounts, or flash suppressors; and

• Firearms with threaded barrels or belt-fed systems.

• Prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer of sale, transferral, and purchase of prohibited firearms (Sec. 1).

• Establishes penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $10,000 fine, and forfeiture of firearms (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes exceptions, including (Sec. 1):

• A person who lawfully possess a prohibited firearm may sell or transfer their firearm to a federally licensed arms dealer; 

• A federally licensed arms dealer may sell or transfer prohibited firearms to another federally licensed arms dealer; and

• A federal agency, acting under the authority of the United States, may buy, sell, or transfer prohibited firearms to licensed federal arms dealers. 

• Establishes a severability clause that ensures if a law is ruled invalid, the remaining provisions of the bill are still valid (Sec. 1). 

• Establishes the law’s effective date as July 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text