Bill > H5436

This bill establishes the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025, which comprehensively restricts the manufacture, sale, purchase, and possession of assault weapons starting July 1, 2026. The bill provides a detailed definition of "assault weapons," which includes specific types of semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols with features like folding stocks, pistol grips, threaded barrels, and large ammunition capacities. The law allows individuals who lawfully possessed such weapons before July 1, 2026, to keep them as "grandfathered assault weapons" under certain conditions. Owners of grandfathered assault weapons must apply for a voluntary certificate of possession, pay a $50 fee, and submit to a background check. The weapons must be stored securely and can only be transported or used in limited circumstances, such as at shooting ranges, during firearms exhibitions, or while being transported to a licensed dealer. Violations can result in significant penalties, including fines up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to ten years, and weapon forfeiture. The bill includes specific exemptions for law enforcement officers, military personnel, and federally licensed firearms dealers, and contains a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect.

Justice

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