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Rhode Island House Approves Assault Weapons Ban, Heads to Governor’s Desk
By Anya Romanov | PROVIDENCE, R.I. – 2025/06/22 09:14:09
The Rhode Island House has approved a bill that would prohibit the sale and manufacture of many semi-automatic rifles, often called assault weapons.The measure now goes to Gov.Dan McKee.
If signed into law by Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, Rhode Island would join 10 other states wiht similar prohibitions on high-powered firearms. These types of weapons have become the choice for many mass shootings in the U.S.
Gun control advocates in Rhode Island have been advocating for an assault weapons ban for over a decade. Despite the state’s democratic leanings, lawmakers have debated the necessity and legality of such a ban.
The approved bill focuses on the sale and manufacturing of assault weapons, not their possession. Washington state has a similar law. The legislation would also block residents from purchasing assault weapons in other states like New Hampshire. Federal law already prohibits transporting guns purchased in another state back to a state where they are banned.
Currently, nine states and the District of Columbia have bans on the possession of assault weapons, including major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Hawaii outlaws assault pistols.
