I know things are going to get muddy - so we've decided to put up a megathread to stay up for the foreseeable future.
HUUUUUUUGE asterisk here - IANAL, nor is glenn, nor NET, nor smoke (to my knowledge). None of this is legal advice. And until we get someone like Chas or Mike or Frank in here for a Q&A or if you attend one of the various 2A events where various lawyers have discussed previous iterations of this bill with us, or have time with an attorney, or are ultimately some part of this is brought before a judge that isn't openly hostile to the 2A - we're simply not going to know. Proceed with you and your family's own risk profile when it comes to compliance or not
What Passed
What does this mean
You will no longer be able to purchase things that meet the state's definition of an assault weaponprohibited firearm.
The "good" news the definition is a little watered down from the original house language - primarily focusing on just semi-auto rifles, and largely leaves shotguns and pistols alone.
It also does not criminalize possession, nor require you to have any proof or permission slips from the government.
Prohibited Firearm is defined as a semi-automatic firearm of the below definitions
Shotguns with fixed magazines over 6 rounds or a revolving cylinder. (Pump/lever still okay generally speaking)
Rifles with fixed magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds, or detachable magazines and have any one of the following:
Folding or telescoping stock
Bayonet mount
Grenade launcher
Barrel shroud
Pistol grip or thumbhole stock
Flash suppressor or threaded barrel
Pistols with fixed magazines over 10 rounds.
Belt-fed firearms
This mean you cannot buy more of the above in a year (July 1st, 2026), but you can retain what you have - though you cannot pass it down to your children apparently - DiPalma was a real dick when questioned about that, hell even Knight wasn't that much of a dbag about that.
We've reached out to some manufactures here
Incredibly important note:
- We all recognize the loopholes in this ban, because we actually know how firearms work, and we should take advantage of the fact that this law was written by idiots who barely know what side of the gun the bullet comes out of, however DO NOT post about them too publicly. These jackasses WILL amend the law further before it even takes effect.
FAQ
- Can I still buy lowers after the ban?
Depends on how FFLs interpret it and feel about the risk, but likely yes, as a stripped lower does not fit the above definition. That being said - the AG is seemingly on a warpath against lowers and ar/ak pistols., sending threatening guidance to some FFLs.
- What if I have parts laying around? Is there constructive intent?
The constructive intent verbiage was removed from the senate bill that passed. That doesn't mean you might not get jammed up, but at that point you have bigger problems.
- My CCW has a threaded barrel! My Shotgun has a threaded choke! Am I screwed?
No - pistols and shotguns were left more or less untouched in this bill as they would have significant detrimental impact to hunting, shooting sports, and CCW (which would fly even more in the face of the Heller and McDonald decision than this law already does. You need to mainly worry about your semi-auto rifles with removeable mags.
- What are we doing to overturn this?
The necessary organizations are aware of the situation. Renew your memberships with places like the FPC, SAF, NAGR, etc... Let the experts handle this. Continue to shitpost on reddit/X/FB/IG/your sister's ass/etc... Hit the range. Be smart. Be safe. Get involved locally. Watch this sub for details as stuff comes up.
After the recent round of SCOTUS decisions that went out way in Hermani and Wolford, plus the SCOTUS taking up Viramontes, we feel very good about this. Here's an analysis the folks over at parabellum put together
- Ok, but what are WE doing to overturn this?
2026 will be a watershed moment for us. They've made it very clear (I'm trying to get clips of what Bell, DiPalma, and Mack said during the debate) that they will not stop here, and will work tirelessly to get the original house bill passed next year. Even the Sec State has said as much publicly. We cannot give them another inch. If we do not make a showing at the polls in '26 the original bill will be the least of our worries - next they will come for body armor, criminalize possession, and a slew of other unconstitutional nonsense.
We will have a scorecard/roster of who are 2A friendly, and who are not. Who to support, and who to oppose. Disaffiliate now if you haven't already which gives you two chances to vote against these assholes, once in the primary, and then again in the general (you can vote for whoever you want in the general regardless of affiliation status).
Take a friend or family member shooting who hasn't shot before. Take a friend in a marginalized group who might feel threatened in the current climate, and explain to them what the state has been doing regarding their rights to defend themselves and their loved ones. Be kind, be empathetic, don't be preachy.
I've lived in NY, NJ, and CT, I believe glenn was NY and/or NJ as well. We've lived under ban states and far worse regimes and laws than this and carried on with our love for the sport. We will survive. We will persevere. We can also help us navigate this quagmire.
Perhaps it is ironic or perhaps it is fate that many of us are preparing for 4th of July BBQs in the coming weeks.... The immortal words of Bill Pullman echo and live rent free in my head. We will once again be fighting for our freedom. We are fighting for our right to exist. Today the gun owners in RI declared in one voice that we will not go quietly into the night. We will not vanish without a fight. We're going to live on. We're going to survive.
Undercaffinated cringe aside - there will be a lot of work to do in the coming months, but trust that the fight is far from over. We are not waiting on the courts to save us - we are taking control of our own destiny. Stay in the fight. Stay tuned for where we can be most effective. We will send a message. To end on a high note paraphrasing Mr. Kurt Russell as a message to all the despots who voted against our rights you called down the thunder and now you've got it. You tell we're comin', and hell's comin' with us.
