US Rhode Island to Ban Assault Weapons

The US state of Rhode Island is on track to implement a ban on the manufacture and sale of many semi-automatic rifles commonly referred to as assault weapons, following the approval of new legislation by the state’s Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

The bill is now being sent to the desk of Democratic Governor Dan McKee, who announced on Friday evening via social media that he intends to sign it into law. Once enacted, Rhode Island will become the eleventh US state to enforce some form of restriction on high-powered firearms.

These types of weapons, which were once banned across the United States under federal law, have increasingly become the firearm of choice in many of the country’s most deadly mass shootings.

The upcoming ban reflects mounting pressure from gun control advocates who have campaigned for over a decade to restrict access to assault-style weapons in Rhode Island.

Supporters of the bill argue that limiting the availability of these firearms is a crucial step toward reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety.

The legislation marks a significant development in the ongoing national debate over gun control, which continues to divide lawmakers, citizens, and advocacy groups across the country.

If signed into law, the move will align Rhode Island with other states like California, New York, and Massachusetts, which have already implemented similar bans to curb the use of semi-automatic rifles in both criminal activity and mass shootings.