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Outdoors in RI: Second amendment challenges in Rhode Island
This week we look at the group of bills working their way through the Rhode Island legislature. Notably this year, Senate and House leadership, who have always limited their support for bills that would create an “assault weapons ban”, and supported 2nd Amendment rights, this year that support has waned. This article provides information that should be useful in seeing the 2nd Amendment perspective and also provides links to all those bills.
Skewed firearms survey?
Anti-gun advocates reported recently on a poll commissioned from Fleming & Associates that gauged how Rhode Islanders felt about a ban on assault weapons. They showed the results as follows:
Results were: 53% Strongly Support – 11% Somewhat Support – 9% Somewhat Oppose – 24.2% Strongly Oppose – 2.8% Unsure
However, the question asked contained a 2-word descriptor, “military style”, before the words “assault weapons”. We went to the bill that is being proposed to be passed and nowhere in that bill is the phrase “military style” written. Does using that phrase in this one on one phone call conversations influence the response? Here is the question asked:
“Support or oppose, banning the sale and manufacture of military style assault weapons in Rhode Island?”
Read the entire survey, here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YVcMurGsDpdf3M488wVtjlo_kVYJnZVL/view
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What is an Assault Weapon?
(reprinted from RIGunRights.com)
We all know “assault weapon” is a loaded term cooked up by the anti-gun crowd. No need to hammer that point home, you’re preaching to the choir here. But lately, we’ve been flooded with messages and emails from folks trying to wrap their heads around what exactly these bans are targeting. And honestly, it’s a hot mess.
Between two stand alone bills, H5436 in the House and S0359, which the Senate just introduced on Friday, February 21st, and the Governor’s budget proposal with its own version of the ban (H5076 Art 11), the confusion is real.
What’s even more surprising? We’re hearing from some gun owners who think these bills aren’t as bad as they seem. We emphatically disagree. This isn’t just another regulation, it’s the most egregious assault on our Second Amendment rights this year, and they’re pushing hard to get it though.
So, we did some heavy lifting and dug into each proposal. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of how THEY are defining an “assault weapon” in the proposed legislation.
New Data Table
| Feature Listed in the Bill: | Senate Bill S0359 | Governor’s Budget | House Bill H5436 |
| Semi-Auto Shotguns | |||
| Fixed Magazine Capacity | More than 6 rounds | More than 8 rounds | More than 6 rounds |
| Ability to accept or be modified to accept Detachable Magazine (PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FEATURES LISTED BELOW) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Folding/Telescoping/Detachable Stock | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pistol Grip/Thumbhole Stock | Yes | No | Yes |
| Grenade Launcher | No | Yes | No |
| Protruding Grip for non-firing hand | Yes | No | Yes |
| Any Shotgun | |||
| Revolving Cylinder | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semi-Auto Rifles | |||
| Fixed Magazine Capacity More than 10 Rounds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to accept or be modified to accept Detachable Magazine (PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FEATURES LISTED BELOW) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Folding/Telescoping/Detachable Stock (Rifles) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bayonet Mount (Rifles) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grenade Launcher (Rifles) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shroud That Surrounds the Barrel (Rifles) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pistol Grip/Thumbhole Stock (Rifles) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Flash Suppressor (Rifles) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Threaded Barrel (Rifles) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Exclusion for .22 Caliber Rimfire Tubular Magazines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Semi- Auto Pistols | |||
| Fixed Magazine Capacity More than 10 Rounds | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to accept or be modified to accept Detachable Magazine (PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FEATURES LISTED BELOW) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Magazine Located outside the Pistol Grip | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Threaded Barrel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shroud Around Barrel (Excluding the Slide) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Unloaded Weight of 50 oz. or More | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Buffer Tube Army Brace, Other Part the Protrudes behind the Pistol Grip Designed or can be Designed for Shoulder Firing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Misc | |||
| Belt-Fed Firearms | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Firearms Modified to be an Assault Weapon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Combination Parts in Posession That Can Be Assembled into an Assault Weapon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Tracking the bills: RI Gun Rights is working on a bill tracker for this legislative season to keep those interested up to date on firearm bills’ progress through the legislature. You can follow that, here: https://rigunrights.com/rhode-island-firearm-legislation-update-february-12-2025/
As of now, these are the bills they are tracking:
Senate Bills
S 0065 – Concealed Carry Permit Appeals Process
Introduced by: Senators de la Cruz, LaMountain, Ciccone, Burke, Rogers, Paolino, and E. Morgan
Date Introduced: January 23, 2025
This bill establishes a formal review and appeal process for individuals denied a concealed carry handgun permit. Under its provisions, an applicant denied a permit may request a meeting with the licensing authority for reconsideration. If the application remains denied, the individual may appeal the decision in Superior Court for a de novo trial. All proceedings, documents, and records related to these cases will remain confidential unless the applicant requests a public hearing.
S 0131 – Defining “Suitable Person” for Concealed Carry Permits
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, E. Morgan, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill defines the term “suitable person” for firearm possession and concealed carry permits. It specifies valid reasons for applying for a permit, outlines required application information, and formalizes an appeal process for denials. It also establishes that records related to permit applications and appeals will not be considered public records.
S 0137 – Reciprocity & Suppressor Use for Hunting
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, E. Morgan, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill builds upon S 0131 by incorporating concealed carry permit reciprocity agreements with other states. It also clarifies the permit appeal process, ensures confidentiality of permit records, and legalizes the use of firearm suppressors for hunting.
S 0138 – Increased Penalties for Stolen Firearms in Crimes
Introduced by: Senators Raptakis, Thompson, Dimitri, Appollonio, Paolino, Burke, de la Cruz, Tikoian, Sosnowski, and Felag
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill increases penalties for possessing a stolen firearm while committing a violent crime. If enacted, convicted individuals will face mandatory minimum sentences without eligibility for parole or probation. Repeat offenders will face progressively harsher penalties.
S 0142 – Permitless Concealed Carry (“Constitutional Carry”)
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, E. Morgan, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill seeks to allow Rhode Island residents over the age of twenty-one to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, provided they meet four conditions: they must not be prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, they must possess a certificate of shooting proficiency, they must have a safety certificate recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and they must carry a government-issued photo ID at all times while armed.
S 0144 – Legalizing Suppressors for Firearms & Hunting
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, E. Morgan, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill allows the use of suppressors on firearms longer than seventeen inches and permits their use by hunters with a valid hunting license. It also prevents state and local agencies from enacting additional restrictions on suppressor use.
S 0146 – Concealed Carry Reciprocity Agreements
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, E. Morgan, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill authorizes Rhode Island to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states to recognize out-of-state concealed handgun permits. Permit holders must be at least twenty-one, their issuing state must provide instant permit verification, and they must carry both a valid permit and government-issued photo ID. Active-duty law enforcement officers with government-issued identification would also be granted the right to carry concealed firearms in Rhode Island.
S 0150 – Legalizing Firearm Suppressors (Silencers)
Introduced by: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, and Raptakis
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
Currently, only law enforcement personnel can possess firearm suppressors in Rhode Island. This bill seeks to legalize their possession and sale for all residents who comply with federal regulations.
House Bills
H 5069 – Concealed Carry Permit Standardization
Introduced by: Representatives Corvese, Azzinaro, Solomon, O’Brien, Slater, Noret, Read, Kennedy, Hull, and Phillips
Date Introduced: January 16, 2025
This bill standardizes the concealed carry permitting process across Rhode Island. It prohibits municipal licensing authorities from requiring applicants to provide a justification for their permit request beyond what is outlined in state law. It also prevents municipalities from imposing additional requirements or fees beyond those set by the Attorney General’s office.
H 5076 – Rhode Island “Assault Weapons” Ban of 2025
Introduced by: Representative Marvin L. Abney
Date Introduced: January 16, 2025
This bill, titled the “Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban of 2025,” seeks to prohibit the manufacture, sale, transfer, and possession of so called assault weapons within the state. It defines an assault weapon based on specific firearm characteristics, including semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and pistols with certain features such as detachable magazines, folding stocks, bayonet mounts, and grenade launchers. The legislation includes provisions for grandfathering existing firearms, requiring owners to register their assault weapons or surrender them to law enforcement. Additionally, it establishes penalties for violations and mandates secure storage for all registered assault weapons.
H 5130 – Crime Gun Tracing and Reporting
Introduced by: Representatives Fellela, Caldwell, Shallcross Smith, Messier, and Kazarian
Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
This bill amends the heading of § 11-47-60.1 to include the name “Dillon’s Law.” to the already existing mandatory safe storage law requiring firearm owners to keep their firearms securely locked when not in use.
H 5263 – Dillon’s Law (Safe Storage Requirement)
Introduced by: Representatives Boylan, Knight, Tanzi, Craven, McEntee, Dawson, Cruz, Ajello, Caldwell, and Felix
Date Introduced: January 22, 2025
This bill defines the term “crime gun” and requires law enforcement agencies to submit any crime gun, along with at least two fired cartridge cases or shell casings seized during an investigation, to the state crime laboratory or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) for testing and tracing. Additionally, it mandates that all test-fired cartridge cases and spent shell casings related to a crime be entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
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RI firearms funds wildlife restoration and conservation in RI
Submitted by Brenda Jacob
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) uses Pittman-Robertson Act funds to support wildlife restoration and conservation efforts. The Pittman-Robertson Act is a federal program that uses excise taxes on firearms and other equipment to fund wildlife restoration.
How the Pittman-Robertson Act helps in Rhode Island
- Wildlife habitat: The DEM has protected thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Rhode Island.
- Research: The DEM has partnered with the University of Rhode Island to research and monitor birds and mammals.
- Hunter education: The DEM offers hunter education and wildlife outreach opportunities.
- Youth and disabled hunting: The DEM offers opportunities for youth and disabled hunters.
- Check stations: The DEM has check stations where biologists and volunteers collect samples and data about the health of Rhode Island’s deer herd.
What is the RI Values Project?
Editor’s Note: From their website The RI Values Project was established in 2018. They list Kat Kerwin (former Providence City Councilor) as their contact. The project is listed as a program of The Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence – and Planned Parenthood Votes! RI. Their website describes the project’s support: “Both organizations have polling data that prove Rhode Islanders value protecting access to safe and legal abortion and birth control, as well as keeping guns out of schools and banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines”.
Money to fund the RICAGV is from Planned Parenthood, reports below. The candidates listed that it supports do not claim this on their campaign finance reports.
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Difference between civilian and military rifles
Another source has detailed information on the differences between the civilian AR-15 and Military M16 and M4 rifles, noting “The key Differences between your AR15 and the military M16 and M4 variances is that the AR15 lower will not accept full auto components or burst components because of the fact that the lowers are milled differently than the military rifles.”
This source also notes, “According to Giffords Law Center, Rhode Island is the number one safest state in America relative to gun crimes. Would legislation removing firearms or certain types of firearms out of the public sector stop violent crimes such as mass shootings or other firearm related crimes? If criminals followed the laws the answer to this would still be a resounding no. Violent crimes would continue because legislation cannot eliminate the inherent violent nature of some human beings. Human beings with violent inclinations will commit violent crimes using whatever means they have necessary….We must ask ourselves the real question. How do we decrease violent crimes? Can we do it by placing legislation and policy in place that target the instruments used in committing the crimes?”
Learn more on this and other issues at Para Bellum Provisions: https://parabellumprovisions.org/the-differences-between-the-civilian-ar-15-and-military-m16-and-m4-rifles/
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This is the main firearms bill working its way through the Rhode Island legislature:
https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText25/HouseText25/H5436.pdf