Bill Analysis H8070 amends Rhode Island’s weapons law to allow students, professors, and other employees of public and private colleges and universities to carry a stun gun or pepper spray for self-defense. Under current law, stun guns are prohibited under the same statute that bans blackjacks, metal knuckles, and bludgeons, with no exception for personal…
Bill Analysis H7553 creates a formal, enforceable appeal process for Rhode Islanders whose carry permit applications are denied – giving applicants the right to an in-person hearing, written reasons for denial, Superior Court review, and attorney fees if the denial had no good faith basis. The Key Change The bill creates a new § 11-47-8.2…
Bill Analysis H7647 creates an exception to Rhode Island’s juvenile record sealing laws, allowing sealed juvenile adjudications to be disclosed to the NICS background check system for firearm purchase decisions – giving old, sealed records new power to block gun sales. The Key Change The bill amends two sections of Rhode Island’s juvenile records law…
Bill Analysis H8081 allows carry permit authorities to access expunged criminal records when evaluating permit applications – meaning a conviction that was legally cleared from your record can still be used to deny you a carry permit. The Key Change The bill amends § 12-1.3-4 (Effect of expungement of records) to add carry permit applicants…
Bill Analysis H7636 creates a state-run registry that gun owners can voluntarily join to temporarily or permanently surrender their right to purchase and possess firearms – and gives healthcare providers the power to submit enrollment forms on a patient’s behalf. The Key Change The bill creates Chapter 106, the Suicide Prevention – Voluntary Firearm Restrictions…
Bill Analysis H7754 amends § 11-47-11 to eliminate Rhode Island’s recognition of out-of-state concealed carry permits, ending any reciprocity for non-resident permit holders who currently may apply for a Rhode Island permit. The Key Change Current law allows a person 21 or older with a bona fide U.S. residence and a valid out-of-state concealed carry…
Bill Analysis H7557 creates the Rhode Island Firearm Industry Accountability Act, exposing firearm manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to civil lawsuits when a court determines they failed to implement “reasonable controls” over their products – a direct end-run around federal PLCAA protections. The Key Change The bill creates a new Chapter 106 in Rhode Island law…
Bill Analysis H7755 expands Rhode Island’s mandatory firearm safety training from handguns to all firearms, raises the requirement from 2 hours to 8 hours, adds a written test, makes the certificate expire every 5 years, and transfers administration from the Department of Environmental Management to the Office of the Attorney General. The Key Change Under…
Bill Analysis H7035 limits Rhode Island gun owners to one firearm purchase every 30 days, making it a crime to buy more than one pistol, rifle, or shotgun in a single month. The Key Change The bill creates a new § 11-47-65 prohibiting any person from purchasing or taking possession of more than one firearm…
Bill Analysis H8071 requires a background check for every ammunition purchase in Rhode Island, covering ammunition, shotgun shells, gunpowder, primers, bullets, and reloading components – treating every trip to buy ammo like a firearm transfer. The Key Change The bill creates § 11-47-65, a new section of Rhode Island law that does not currently exist….