April 8 at the State House: Gun Rights Bills Up for Committee Hearing

On Wednesday, April 8, the House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing that directly affects your right to keep and bear arms in Rhode Island. Your presence at the State House matters.

Rally at the State House

  • Date: Wednesday, April 8
  • Arrive as early as possible. The Anti-Gun Rights Extremists will be there early to fill the testimony sign-in sheets. Get ahead of them.
  • House session begins around 4:00 PM
  • Wear yellow

If you cannot get there early, come anyway. Signing in at any point puts your name on the official record against these bills. Every gun owner in that building sends a message.

Wear YELLOW on April 8. When lawmakers see a packed room in yellow, they know gun owners in Rhode Island are united and watching.


What to Expect at the Hearing

If this is your first time at a State House committee hearing, here is what the process looks like:

  • Sign-in sheets at the door — sign as “for” or “against” each bill. You do not have to speak to have your position counted.
  • Overflow rooms will be set up if the hearing room fills. You can watch on a screen from the overflow area and your sign-in still counts.
  • Plan for a long session. These hearings routinely run into the evening. You can arrive or leave at any time.
  • Security screening at the entrance is required. Allow extra time, especially if arriving with a group.

If You Get to Speak at the Microphone

Keep it brief and direct: state your name, your city, the bill number you are speaking on, and your position. Speakers are typically limited to 3 minutes. The committee pays more attention to the volume of people testifying than to the length of each statement.


Bills We Are Tracking at This Hearing

These are the gun-related bills we are tracking that are scheduled before the committee on April 8. Each bill page includes a plain-English breakdown of the proposed changes and a form to contact the committee directly.

Anti Gun Rights

H8073 – Firearms Possession Ban (2026)

Bill: H8073

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H8075 – Mandatory Firearm Liability Insurance (2026)

Bill: H8075

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H8071 – Ammunition Background Check Mandate (2026)

Bill: H8071

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7035 – One Firearm Per 30-Day Purchase Limit (2026)

Bill: H7035

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7755 – Mandatory 8-Hour Firearm Safety Training Requirement (2026)

Bill: H7755

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7557 – Firearm Industry Accountability Act (2026)

Bill: H7557

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7754 – Elimination of Out-of-State Carry Permit Recognition (2026)

Bill: H7754

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7636 – Voluntary Firearm Restrictions Act (2026)

Bill: H7636

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H8081 – Expunged Records Accessible for Carry Permit Decisions (2026)

Bill: H8081

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7647 – Juvenile Records Accessible for Firearm Background Checks (2026)

Bill: H7647

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Pro Gun Rights

H7553 – Carry Permit Denial Appeal Rights (2026)

Bill: H7553

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Three Bills That Need Your Attention

H8073 will draw the most attention in the room. That creates an opening for other bills to move with less scrutiny. Brenda from The RI Revolver and Rifle Association has flagged these three as ones to watch closely:

Anti Gun Rights

H8075 – Mandatory Firearm Liability Insurance (2026)

Bill: H8075

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H8071 – Ammunition Background Check Mandate (2026)

Bill: H8071

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary

Anti Gun Rights

H7755 – Mandatory 8-Hour Firearm Safety Training Requirement (2026)

Bill: H7755

Scheduled for HearingHearing: April 8, 2026

Committee: House Judiciary


The House Judiciary Committee

These are the legislators who will hear and vote on these bills. Contact them directly using the forms on each bill page.

House Judiciary Committee

Clerk: Roberta DiMezza

Phone: (401) 222-2258

Email: [email protected]

Committee Members

Carol Hagan McEntee
Carol Hagan McEntee
Chair
Democrat

State Representative

House District 33

Jason Knight
Jason Knight
Vice Chair
Democrat

State Representative

House District 67

Matt S. Dawson
Matt S. Dawson
Vice Chair
Democrat

State Representative

House District 65

Edith H. Ajello
Edith H. Ajello
Democrat

State Representative

House District 1

Jose F. Batista
Jose F. Batista
Democrat

State Representative

House District 12

David A. Bennett
David A. Bennett
Democrat

State Representative

House District 20

Justine A. Caldwell
Justine A. Caldwell
Democrat

State Representative

House District 30

Julie A. Casimiro
Julie A. Casimiro
Democrat

State Representative

House District 31

Arthur J. Corvese
Arthur J. Corvese
Democrat

State Representative

House District 55

Robert E. Craven, Sr.
Robert E. Craven, Sr.
Democrat

State Representative

House District 32

Cherie L. Cruz
Cherie L. Cruz
Democrat

State Representative

House District 58

Leonela Felix
Leonela Felix
Democrat

State Representative

House District 61

Marie A. Hopkins
Marie A. Hopkins
Republican

State Representative

House District 21

Thomas E. Noret
Thomas E. Noret
Democrat

State Representative

House District 25

David J. Place
David J. Place
Republican

State Representative

House District 47


Make Your Voice Heard

Whether you are at the State House on April 8 or watching from home, you can contact the House Judiciary Committee directly through the Legislation Tracker. Every bill page has a built-in form that sends your message straight to the committee and adds your name to a public petition. It takes about 60 seconds per bill.


Volunteer on April 8

Help is needed to coordinate on the ground at the State House. Specifically:

  • Collecting signature papers
  • Passing out cheat sheets to attendees
  • Bringing and distributing water

Parking and Directions

Rhode Island State House — 82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903

Street Parking (Metered)

Parking Garage

Handicapped Access

Limited handicapped parking is available in the small lot on the northeast corner. Visitors unable to use stairs may enter through the staff entrance accessed from this lot.

Use directions or transit routing in the map above to plan your route to the State House.


Stay Updated

Subscribe for day-of updates and future alerts about legislation that affects your rights.

Subscription Form

By opting in you agree to the terms and conditions

By submitting, you authorize RI Gun Rights Project to send email and text messages with alerts and notifications. Message and data rates may apply. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.

Related Articles