Governor McKee, General Officers, State Legislators, Gun Safety Advocates Call for Action on Assault Weapons Ban
Published on Tuesday, February 11, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI — Today, Governor Dan McKee was joined by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James Diossa, legislators, and gun safety advocates to call for the passage of an assault weapons ban during this year’s legislative session. Governor McKee included a ban on assault weapons in his FY26 budget proposal, and legislation is being sponsored by Representative Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) and Senator Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).
“Gun safety remains a crucial public health issue here in Rhode Island and across the country,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Together, we’ve made important progress in passing gun safety laws, but our work is not over. That is why I chose to include an assault weapons ban in my budget to help move this issue forward. For the safety of our communities—let’s finally get this done.”
The ban would prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale, transfer, and possession of certain assault weapons including certain semi-automatic shotguns, rifles, and pistols. It also levies criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating the ban; and provides exemptions to the ban for law enforcement agencies, federally licensed firearm dealers, and individuals who lawfully possess an assault weapon on the effective date of the ban.
The federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004 and has yet to be reauthorized by Congress. Currently, ten states have statutes that ban certain assault weapons.
Over the past several years, Governor McKee has proudly signed several key pieces of gun safety legislation into law including bills to: ban large-capacity gun magazines, require the safe storage of firearms, raise the legal age to purchase firearms or ammunition from 18 to 21, and prohibit the open carry of any loaded rifle or shotgun in public.
“We have made great strides to keep our communities safe from gun violence, and we must keep that momentum going by passing a ban on assault weapons,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “We have spent too long in fear of gun violence in our schools, in our places of worship, in our public spaces, and in our homes. This year, we can take action and get prevent these weapons of war from flowing into our communities.”
“We deserve to move about our schools, places of worship, workplaces, and communities without fear of gun violence, and the simple truth is that assault weapons make gun violence even more deadly,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “Once again, I’m glad to stand with my colleagues in government, advocates, and community members as we call for additional commonsense gun safety legislation here in our state, and I sincerely hope that this is the year we achieve our goal.”
“There is no need for civilians to own and operate military-style weapons,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “Over the years, my Office has helped pass, strengthen, and enforce common sense gun laws that keep Rhode Islanders safer. Mass casualty events are far too common in the United States, and so often they involve assault weapons. Rhode Islanders deserve to go to the movies, or to a concert, and not fear for their lives. Let’s get this done.”
“As a state and as a country we have become numb to gun violence. It barely registers in the headlines. But make no mistake, gun-related violence continues to have a real impact on Rhode Islanders,” said Treasurer James A. Diossa. “As Mayor of Central Falls, I heard the stories, witnessed the grief, and felt the pain of families whose lives were irrevocably altered by the pull of a trigger. And I still see it firsthand through Treasury’s Crime Victim Compensation Program, which offers well-needed financial assistance to victims and their families. I commend Governor McKee on taking bold action and including this ban in his budget proposal, and Representative Knight and Senator DiPalma for their tireless advocacy year after year.”
“High-powered weapons like AR-style rifles are the preferred weapons of mass shooters. Scores of Americans have died at the hands of killers wielding these weapons. There is no reason they should be allowed to circulate in the community," said Representative Jason Knight. "Of course making them illegal doesn’t mean that they will all disappear overnight, but allowing their legal sale needlessly endangers the public. We are not powerless against gun violence, and Rhode Islanders deserve more than thoughts and prayers as an antidote. This bill gives us a common-sense way to mitigate the damage from the modern-day scourge of mass shootings.”
“Banning assault weapons is a long overdue, common-sense step to address the serious public health issue of gun violence in Rhode Island. Research clearly shows a ban will save lives and make our communities safer. It is supported by a large majority of legislators, by each of the state’s general officers, and by most Rhode Islanders," said Senator Louis DiPalma. "Our neighbors in Connecticut and Massachusetts have implemented an assault weapons ban, as have one-fifth of all states. Our federal government has done so previously. Strong state-level leadership is more critically needed than ever before, and I am proud to be sponsoring this legislation.”
“In the absence of federal legislation regulating assault weapons, in Rhode Island, we must take it upon ourselves to protect our residents from mass shootings by banning these uniquely dangerous weapons," said Melissa Carden, Executive Director of RICAGV. "We are grateful to the Governor for his commitment to gun safety and we look forward to working with him, General Assembly leadership and bill sponsors Senator DiPalma and Representative Knight on this important legislation."
“Our lawmakers and Governor McKee supporting this bill to ban assault weapons in Rhode Island goes to show that they’re making our safety a priority. This isn’t just about my generation either, it’s about the next generation of kids who are sitting in kindergarten classrooms right now,” said Mia Tretta, a volunteer leader with the Brown University Students Demand Action chapter and and gun shot wound survivor from the shooting at Saugus High School in California. “This is what real leadership looks like. Not just taking action in the wake of tragedy, but stepping up to prevent a tragedy in the first place. The introduction of this bill is just the beginning, and we’re committed to getting this to the finish line.”