PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Gun rights legislation will go before the full House Thursday night for the first time since the debate began over a decade ago.

This is the first time an assault weapon ban bill has made it out of the committee, after it passed 12-6 Tuesday night.

While fully automatic weapons, such as machine guns, are already illegal in Rhode Island, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 (H5436) aims to prohibit the purchase, sale, manufacturing, and possession of certain weapons, including semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols.

A new "grandfather clause" was added to the legislation, allowing Rhode Islanders who own assault-style weapons as of July 1, 2026, to legally keep them without having to register.

Owners will have the option to voluntarily register their weapon

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