Bill Analysis
S2395 legalizes the purchase, possession, and use of stun guns and electronic dart guns by adult Rhode Islanders, bringing state law into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Caetano v. Massachusetts (2016), which held that stun guns are protected arms under the Second Amendment.
The Key Change
The bill removes stun guns from Rhode Island’s prohibited-weapons list in § 11-47-42 and creates a new § 11-47-8.2 authorizing any person 18 or older to purchase a stun gun or electronic dart gun. It also adds formal definitions of both devices to § 11-47-2.
What It Means for Gun Owners
Rhode Islanders, particularly those who cannot or do not wish to carry a firearm, will have a legal, less-lethal self-defense option. This aligns Rhode Island with the vast majority of states and with binding Supreme Court precedent. The bill retains common-sense prohibitions: sale to minors, use in the commission of a crime, use against police officers, and possession by convicted felons or other prohibited persons.
For nearly a decade Rhode Island has ignored the Supreme Court’s unanimous holding in Caetano. S2395 finally corrects that. Passing it restores a constitutionally protected self-defense option to every law-abiding adult in the state.
Penalties:
- Sale to a minor: felony, up to 5 years imprisonment
- Use in commission of a crime: felony, up to $10,000 fine and/or 10 years
- Use against a police officer: felony, up to $10,000 fine and/or 10 years, served consecutively to the underlying offense
- Possession by a prohibited person: mirrors existing firearm-prohibition penalties
Email and Petition
Support S2395 — Send Your Message and Be Added to the Petition
Every submission both contacts the members of the Senate Judiciary and adds to a growing public petition and record of opposition.
2 Rhode Islanders have already taken action. Join them.