Rhode Island is about to enter a new phase of gun regulation, with a sweeping limit on assault-style firearms set to take effect in 2026. The state has already halted new sales of many semiautomatic rifles and similar weapons, and lawmakers are now weighing whether to go further by restricting possession of guns that residents legally bought in the past.
The shift reflects a broader national fight over how far states can go to curb access to weapons that officials describe as “military-style,” while gun rights advocates warn that each new statute erodes the Second Amendment. For Rhode Islanders, the debate is no longer abstract; it is about what happens to specific rifles and shotguns sitting in closets and safes when the calendar turns toward the end of 2026.
How Rhode Island’s assault weapons law came together
The current framework traces back to a bill that state lawmakers advanced as part of a package to address high-profile shootings and concerns about “military-style” firearms. The General Assembly approved legislation that, in its own description, prohibits the manufacture, of certain firearms that it defines as assault weapons, often described as military-style semiautomatic guns.
Governor Dan McKee signed that measure after lawmakers sent it to his desk. In the official description, the administration explained that the law, identified as 2025-S 0359A, bans the manufacture,, including specified semiautomatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns that meet the statute’s criteria. The act was written to take effect on July 1, 2026, giving retailers and owners a long lead time to adjust…