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Rhode Island lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session by passing a considerably altered model of a semi-automatic firearms ban.
Regardless of years of opposition from gun house owners who repeatedly packed the Statehouse, the invoice crossed the end line with votes in each chambers on Friday.
The Senate’s model, S.359A, superior on a 25-11 vote. The Home, after preliminary hesitation, agreed to undertake the Senate’s model reasonably than transfer ahead with its personal earlier proposal.
That call despatched the invoice on to Governor Dan McKee, who has supported comparable laws previously and is predicted to signal it into regulation.
The newly handed measure bans the sale, manufacture, switch, and buy of a broad vary of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and handguns. It’s largely primarily based on beauty options comparable to pistol grips, folding shares, and threaded barrels.
Not like the sooner Home model, the ultimate invoice doesn’t ban possession of present firearms that meet the definition.
The regulation contains felony penalties of as much as 10 years in jail. And $10,000 in fines for individuals who violate its phrases. It’s scheduled to take impact on July 1, 2026.
Gun rights teams together with the NRA criticized the laws as a significant risk to lawful possession of generally used firearms.
Native protection by NBC 10 WJAR confirmed the Senate Judiciary Committee’s modifications lowered the scope of the ban, eradicating some firearms used for looking and sport.
Even so, some gun management advocates expressed frustration with what they seen as a watered-down invoice.
Although the Rhode Island gun ban doesn’t go so far as initially proposed, there’s little question that that is nonetheless a critical infringement. Rhode Islanders want to remain politically engaged because the 2026 election season approaches.
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