Anti Gun Rights

Bill Analysis S2958 imposes new operational mandates on every shooting range in Rhode Island, including a member-escort requirement that would effectively block walk-in access by non-members, new shooters, and out-of-state visitors. The Key Change The bill creates § 11-47-62.1 requiring every shooting range, public or private, rifle, pistol, skeet, trap, or black powder, to post…

Bill Analysis S2723 expands Rhode Island’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act to cover three animal-related offenses. Although the bill is framed as animal welfare, its practical effect is to expand the universe of convictions that trigger lifetime federal firearm prohibition. The Key Change The bill amends § 12-29-2 to classify the following as “domestic violence” when…

Bill Analysis S3110, introduced at the request of Attorney General Neronha, criminalizes the mere possession of a firearm by any Rhode Islander under 18. It targets the exact activity the Second Amendment names first: keeping arms. The Key Change Current § 11-47-33 makes it unlawful for a minor to “possess and use” a firearm outside…

Bill Analysis S2314 reduces the first-offense penalty for possessing a large capacity magazine under Rhode Island’s existing ban, from a felony to a misdemeanor, while leaving the ban itself fully intact and maintaining felony penalties for subsequent offenses. The Key Change Section 11-47.1-3, which prohibits possession of large capacity feeding devices, currently makes any violation…

Bill Analysis S3108 amends Rhode Island’s expungement law to allow licensing authorities to access expunged criminal records when reviewing carry permit applications. Under current law, expunged records cannot be used against a person for any purpose – this bill carves out an exception for gun rights. The Key Change Section 12-1.3-4 of Rhode Island law…

Bill Analysis S2726 expands Rhode Island’s mandatory firearm safety training requirement from pistols and revolvers to all firearms – including rifles and shotguns – and increases the required training from two hours to eight hours, with a mandatory standardized written test. The Key Change Current law requires a 2-hour DEM pistol/revolver safety course before purchasing…

Bill Analysis S2971 creates a voluntary self-exclusion registry that allows individuals – or their healthcare providers – to request that the state prohibit them from purchasing or possessing firearms. Once on the list, rights cannot be restored for at least 30 to 90 days, with no emergency override. The Key Change The bill creates a…

Bill Analysis S2295 is the Senate companion to H7035. It 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…

Bill Analysis S2611 is the Senate companion to H7557. It 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. The Key Change The bill creates a new Chapter 106 defining “firearm industry members” and…