In Providence, Rhode Island, the state House, controlled by Democrats, recently passed a bill to prohibit the sale and manufacturing of semiautomatic rifles known as assault weapons. The legislation now awaits the signature of Democratic Governor Dan McKee, who has indicated his intention to sign it into law. If enacted, Rhode Island will join 10 other states with similar restrictions on high-powered firearms that have been linked to devastating mass shootings. Gun control advocates have long pushed for such a ban in the state, but lawmakers have debated its necessity and legality for years. The proposed law only applies to sales and manufacturing, not possession, and residents will be prevented from buying assault weapons from neighboring states. Critics argue that bans on assault weapons do little to prevent mass shootings and unfairly target law-abiding citizens. The debate over the constitutionality of such laws may eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite differing opinions on the bill, advocates believe it is a step in the right direction for public safety.
In early June, there was a challenge to Maryland’s assault weapons ban. Three conservative justices – Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Clarence Thomas – expressed their disagreement publicly. The fourth justice, Brett Kavanaugh, indicated doubt about the bans’ constitutionality and suggested that the court might hear a case “in the next term or two.” Additional reporting by David Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington, D.C. was contributed to this report.
