Rhode Island’s Democratic-controlled state House passed legislation late Friday that would ban the sale and manufacturing of certain semiautomatic rifles, commonly referred to as assault weapons.
The Ocean State will join 10 other states across the country that have some sort of prohibition on high-powered firearms once Gov. Dan McKee (D-RI) signs the bill into law.
McKee posted on X Friday night that he was proud that the legislature “took an important step forward in protecting our communities from gun violence.”
“I thank the General Assembly and the many advocates for their tireless work, and I hope they’ll join me when I sign this bill into law,” McKee wrote. “As Governor, I’m committed to working with our partners on common sense gun safety measures to keep our communities safe.”
The legislation does not apply to the possession of semiautomatic rifles but rather only the sale and manufacturing of this type of weaponry. Washington state is the only other jurisdiction with a similar type of prohibition.
Federal law prohibits traveling to a different state to purchase a weapon and returning with it to a state where that type of gun is banned. Accordingly, Rhode Islanders cannot go to nearby New Hampshire or any other state to purchase a banned semiautomatic rifle.
Second Amendment advocates argue that bans on semiautomatic rifles do little to nothing to curb mass shootings.
Republican state Sen. Thomas Paolinio said in a statement that the bill “doesn’t go after criminals, it just puts the burden on law-abiding citizens.”
State House minority leader Republican Rep. Michael Chippendale predicted during House debates that the federal Supreme Court would eventually deem the law unconstitutional when presented with legal challenges after its passage.
Gun control advocates also opposed the legislation, believing it did not go far enough.
During floor debates on the legislation, Democratic Rep. Rebecca Kislak said she was “gravely disappointed” that the legislature was “not doing more” on the issue.
“Given the opportunity to do this or nothing, I am voting to do something,” said Kislak in support of the legislation.
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David Hogg, a leading Democrat influencer who survived the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, called the Rhode Island ban the “weakest assault weapons ban in the country.”
“I know that Rhode Islanders deserve a strong bill that not only bans the sale, but also the possession of assault weapons. It is this combination that equals public safety,” Hogg said in a statement after the bill passed.