July 2, 2025 – Rhode Island has become the latest state to pass a ban on so-called “assault weapons,” following Governor Dan McKee’s signing of the legislation (2025-S0359A) on June 26, 2025.
The law, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, prohibits the manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of certain firearms defined as a “prohibited firearm.” “Prohibited firearms” include semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazines exceeding six rounds; any shotgun with a revolving cylinder; semi-automatic rifles with fixed magazines exceeding ten rounds; semi-automatic rifles with the ability to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following six features: (1) a folding or telescoping stock, (2) a bayonet mount, (3) a grenade launcher, (4) a barrel shroud, (5) a pistol grip or thumbhole stock, or (6) a flash suppressor or threaded barrel; semi-automatic pistols with fixed magazines exceeding ten rounds; and semi-automatic firearms that can accept a belt ammunition feeding device. Notably, the law does not prohibit the continued possession of “prohibited firearms” or require their registration, but it prohibits current owners from transferring them to anyone except for federal firearms licensees or individuals in other states who may lawfully possess them. Violations are punishable by up to ten years in prison or a $10,000 fine and forfeiture of the subject firearm.
Ten states and the District of Columbia currently ban “assault weapons” in some form. These laws have been challenged in court by gun-rights groups and we are monitoring their progress. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule directly on “assault weapons” bans, in a recent unanimous decision, the Court referred to AR-15 and AK-47 rifles as “both widely legal and bought by many ordinary consumers,” which should mean that they are subject to protection under the Second Amendment. Furthermore, certain justices (including Kavanaugh, Thomas, and Alito) have shown interest in revisiting the issue of whether the Second Amendment prohibits similar bans of “assault weapons.”
Renzulli Law Firm will continue to monitor the implementation of this law, related litigation, and its potential impacts. If you have any questions about the law, please contact John F. Renzulli or Christopher Renzulli.