Rhode Island’s new law took effect July 1, 2026, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, transfer, and purchase of firearms meeting the statute’s definition of prohibited assault weapons while generally allowing continued possession of weapons already legally owned. Supporters describe the law as a prospective limit on especially dangerous firearms. Opponents argue that the definitions cover commonly owned semiautomatic firearms and burden constitutional rights without focusing on criminal misuse. Grandfathering allows an existing lawful item or activity to continue after a new prohibition applies to future acquisition or conduct. The state should reduce the damage one attacker can inflict, but a firearm law needs a definition ordinary owners, police, dealers, and courts can understand consistently.
Is Rhode Island’s new assault-weapon sales ban the right public-safety boundary?