Rhode Island’s House Judiciary Committee will hear a mix of gun related bills tomorrow, March 26th. It is extremely urgent that we contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to strike down the following bills:
- HB 5443 – Allows individuals to voluntarily add themselves to a watchlist that would restrict their right to purchase or possess a firearm.
- HB 5651 – Allows access to juvenile criminal records in order to conduct firearm background checks.
- HB 5654 – Prevents local licensing authorities from granting concealed carry permits to out-of-state residents based on permits issued by other states.
- HB 5889 – Allows law enforcement agencies to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
- HB 5890 – Specifies that it is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to possess a firearm.
- HB 5436 – Imposes an “assault weapons” ban which would prohibit the future possession, purchase, sale, control, and manufacture of commonly owned firearms.
As mentioned in our previous alerts, Governor McKee has orchestrated the push for an “assault weapons ban” to move forward since the introduction of his FY 2026 Budget proposal and State of the State address earlier this year in January. HB 5436 is currently the largest threat to the well-being of the Second Amendment in Rhode Island and must be stopped.
The Judiciary Committee will also hear a small number of pro-gun bills that can be seen here:
- HB 5653 – Prohibits Licensing authorities from imposing additional or stricter requirements than those set by the Department of Attorney General. They are also prohibited from charging any additional fees.
- HB 5935 – Expands firearm rights to recognize out of state carry permits, authorizes carrying of weapons during emergency evacuations, and establishes an appeal process for being denied a permit.
- HB 5936 – Establishes a process for individuals who are denied a permit to carry a handgun to request a review and appeal the decision.
Because there is such little time before tomorrow’s meeting, GOA is asking that you pick up the phone and call your Representatives about these gun bills!
Phone calls carry far more weight than emails do, and we need to make sure these members hear your message before tomorrow’s meeting. When speaking to a Representative or their staff, you can say something like this:
“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [TOWN/CITY]. I’m a member of Gun Owners of America and a Rhode Island voter and I encourage you to vote NO on HB 5436, and other gun control bills when they come up in Committee on March 26th. Gun Owners of America will keep me informed of how you vote.”
The list of members on the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee can be seen here:
Chairman Robert Craven – (401) 294-2222
First Vice Chair Carol Hagan McEntee – (401) 222-4435
Second Vice Chair Jason Knight – (401) 903-9804
Representative Edith H. Ajello – (401) 222-2296
Representative José F. Batista – (401) 533-2226
Representative David A. Bennett – (401) 480-4647
Representative Justine A. Caldwell – (401) 212-7320
Representative Julie A. Casimiro – (401) 474-7961
Representative Arthur J. Corvese – (401) 353-8695
Representative Cherie L. Cruz – (401) 222-2447
Representative Matthew S. Dawson – (401) 258-3660
Representative Leonela Felix – (401) 369-5364
Representative Marie A. Hopkins – (401) 203-1517
Representative Thomas E. Noret – (401) 641-0813
Representative David J. Place – (401) 286-2088
Reach out to your legislators immediately using the form above and demand that they OPPOSE the anti-gun bills and SUPPORT the pro-gun bills!
