BREAKING: Rhode Island Moves to Ban Assault Weapons—A Sneaky “Backdoor” That Could Spread Nationwide

Rhode Island just passed one of the most quietly dangerous gun control laws in America—and it’s flying under the radar. In a move that Second Amendment defenders are calling a “backdoor ban,” the state has prohibited the sale, manufacture, and distribution of so-called assault weapons, while still technically allowing residents to possess them.

Gun rights advocates are raising the alarm: this law could become the model for similar legislation nationwide, especially since it’s the only assault weapons ban currently not facing a legal challenge in court.

Set to take effect in 2026, the law broadly defines “assault weapons” as any semi-automatic rifle with features like a detachable magazine, pistol grip, or fixed magazine exceeding 10 rounds. Certain semi-automatic shotguns are also targeted under the bill.

By focusing on distribution rather than possession, Rhode Island lawmakers are hoping to bypass the Second Amendment challenges that have derailed similar bans in other states. According to the Associated Press, officials behind the law believe that avoiding a direct prohibition on ownership could give the law better odds of surviving judicial scrutiny.

But critics say this is a calculated strategy to set precedent—one that could pave the way for more restrictive bans nationwide. If courts rule that this type of “partial” ban is constitutional, it may become the new standard for anti-gun legislation in blue states across the country.

“It’s a Trojan Horse,” one gun rights activist warned. “They’re trying to outlaw our rights piece by piece.”

Gun control advocates in Rhode Island are already calling for more. Melissa Carden of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence said the law doesn’t go far enough. “It’s progress,” she said, “but a true assault weapons ban includes an enforceable ban on possession as well.”

With the Supreme Court watching, this battle is far from over.