The landmark assault weapons ban bill sponsored by East Bay Democrat Jason Knight passed the Rhode Island House of Representatives Thursday evening, June 5, by a 43-28 margin.

Bill No. 2025-H 5436 did not go quietly in the night, as the final tally tells. Those against, including all of the nine Republican members of the chamber as well as a meaningful number of Knight's fellow Dems, spent some four hours offering up amendments, claiming the ban would inadvertently affect "law abiding citizens" and invoking both the United States and Rhode Island Constitutions to express their opposition.

The legislation (2025-H 5436A) would prohibit the manufacture, purchase, sale, transfer and possession of certain assault weapons including certain types of semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols, and would levy criminal penalties for anyone convicted of violating the ban. Exemptions are provided for current and retired law enforcement officers, active-duty members of the armed forces, National Guard or reserves, federally licensed firearm dealers and individuals who lawfully possess an assault weapon when the ban takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Said Knight, who represents Barrington and Warren from District 67, “I am grateful to the many people who, year after year, have worked hard and shown up to advocate for this bill, which has evolved through study, collaboration and listening over all that time.

"I thank the many representatives who stood up today for the safety of all Rhode Islanders. I urge our colleagues the Senate to pass this bill and make this the year we take action to end the proliferation of powerful weapons that enable mass shooters to kill as many victims as possible.”

The legislation was cosponsored by 40 members of the House and is supported by all five of the state’s general officers, crucially including Gov. Dan McKee, as well as numerous groups that work to end gun violence.

Those proponents, including several in the House gallery who immediately voiced their pleasure upon the final vote count, were at the ready with words of support.

Wrote Melissa Carden, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence, in press released issued shortly after passage in the 8 o'clock hour Thursday, "It is a historic day in the RI House of Representatives. And now we move on to the Senate, where we are confident gun safety champion and Senate President Val Lawson will make sure this legislation gets to the Senate floor for a vote."

Added, RICAGV Board Chair Ariana Wohl. “On behalf of the coalition I thank every House member who voted in support of the assault weapons ban, in particular Speaker (Joseph) Shekarchi and Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski, Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian, and Rep. Knight, who has stood with us over the years in support of gun safety,”

Nine states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, along with the District of Columbia have enacted laws that ban the sale, manufacture and transfer of assault weapons.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Tiverton, Newport) is sponsoring its Senate companion (2025-S 0359).