McKee, State Legislators Introduce Assault Weapons Ban Bill For Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor McKee joined state lawmakers, Attorney General Peter Neronha and other state officials Tuesday to introduce a bill that would ban the sale of assault-style weapons in Rhode Island.

"I want to say this loud and clear: Rhode Island is ready for an assault weapons ban to help keep our communities safe," Mckee said. "And as Governor, I'm ready to sign that bill into law. I am grateful to have a strong team standing behind this bill. I thank our sponsor’s Representative Knight and Senator Miller as well as all of our general officers, Moms Demand, the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence and so many other community leaders and advocates. Let’s get it done."

The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Jason Knight (D-Barrington, Warren), and state Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Cranston, Providence).

If passed, the legislation would ban the possession, sale and transfer of assault weapons. Possession of assault weapons owned on the effective date of the bill would be grandfathered in subject to certain registration rules. Violators would be subject to up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000 and forfeiture of the weapon.

Rhode Island would also become the 10th state to enact an assault weapons ban, joining California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and the District of Columbia.

Supporters of the bill said the legislation builds on the progress Rhode Island made last year by passing bills to ban large-capacity gun magazines, raise the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition in Rhode Island from 18 to 21 and prohibit the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public.

"We've been working on this legislation for years, and over that time we have honed it to ensure that it targets the excessively lethal weapons that have no legitimate purpose in our society," Miller said. "We’ve done our homework. We’ve listened to every argument from those who don’t want limits on firearms. And in that time, we’ve also stood witness as literally thousands of Americans died in mass shootings carried out with assault weapons. Children in schools. People at celebrations and concerts. Family members and the elderly in the middle of church services. No more excuses for why not. The public deserves better than excuses that continue to allow assault weapons to be readily accessible to nearly anyone who wants to commit murder."