Legislation has been introduced by Sen. Lou DiPalma (D-Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) and Rep. Jason Knight (D-Barrington, Warren) that would prohibit the sale of assault-style weapons in Rhode Island, similar to existing laws in Massachusetts and Connecticut. With the support of most of our legislators, including Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, and all of our state office holders – Gov. Dan McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, Treasurer James Diossa and Attorney General Peter Neronha – 2025 could be the year an assault weapons ban is finally passed in Rhode Island.  

There is no time to waste. Since the start of the year, the United States has seen at least 41 mass shootings, resulting in 25 deaths and 150 injuries, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). In 2023, Brady United reported that 18% of mass shootings with four or more fatalities involved an assault weapon. These incidents accounted for 28% of all firearm-related deaths and 40% of all firearm-related injuries during such mass shootings. A 2016 study by the Violence Policy Center found that one in four law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty were killed by an assault weapon.  

The regulation of assault-style weapons has been shown to contribute to the reduction of gun-related fatalities. According to Brady United, during the period when the U.S. assault weapons ban was enforced, from 1994 to 2005, there was a 37% decrease in gun massacres and a 70% reduction in the proportion of assault weapons linked to firearm-related crimes. Assault firearms are dangerous weaponry meant for war and destruction. Private citizens do not need assault weapons and should not have the right to access them.  

According to a recent AFL-CIO poll, 64% of Rhode Islanders support an assault weapons ban. Gun safety advocates in Rhode Island have pushed for this ban for over a decade. As a Rhode Islander, I urge all members of the General Assembly to support the assault weapons ban legislation (H5436/S359) this session, because even saving one child or teacher makes it worthwhile. 

Jennifer McGee is a Cranston resident, Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence volunteer and former Washington, DC lobbyist.