Rhode Island Democrats Move to Ban Possession of Commonly Owned Firearms

Summary

Rhode Island Democrats introduced a bill on February 27, 2026, to expand the state's existing firearms ban by prohibiting possession of certain semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns. This follows a law signed by Gov. Dan McKee on June 26, 2025, which initially banned the manufacture, purchase, sale, or transfer of these firearms. The NRA's John Commerford condemned the proposed measure as a "radical Rhode Island gun grab."