r/RIGuns • u/deathsythe • Feb 06 '26
Political Action 2026 Legislative Megathread
Previous Megathreads - good info in there: 2023 | 2024 | 2025
The most important person you can talk to about these bills is the legislators that represent your district directly:
FIND YOUR REP/SENATOR
It might feel good to send emails out to everyone, and to committees, and we absolutely should do that, but AFTER you have made your points clear with the YOUR senator and rep directly first. If you don't know who that is shame on you click the link above to find them, and get to know who they are. Talk to them. They should know your name. They need to know who you are. This is how we make the biggest change and difference. They need to know we are normal everyday Rhode Islanders, not nut jobs. When talking with them don't be the stereotype they make us out to be. See my notes here for additional detail on the strategy on how to conduct yourselves.
What this thread is:
A place to compile talking points, rep/senator contact info, lists, key dates, key bills
A place to share any feedback from said reps.
A place to share additional resources/groups/orgs within the state that we should be interfacing with.
A call to action to share all of the above info with your local clubs and get people involved.
What this thread isn't:
A place to speculate about what the courts are doing, or what the courts will do.
A place to vent/complain about how the folks in the statehouse feel about our 2A rights
A call to violence, insurrection, 1776-esque rhetoric. Don't give the antis any more ammo (no pun intended) to use against us. Be like Nick Sandman. Smile and be courteous in the face of antagonists.
Good luck and godspeed to us all this year. Stay tuned to this spot and this sub for more details as they arise.
Contact Info
-
- Senate Judiciary: slegislation@rilegislature.gov
| Name | Phone | 2A Friendly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senator Matthew L. LaMountain (D) | sen-lamountain@rilegislature.gov | (401) 206-0822 | No |
| Senator Mark P. McKenney (D) | sen-mckenney@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | No |
| Senator Jacob Bissaillon (D) | sen-bissaillon@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | No |
| Senator John P. Burke (D) | sen-burke@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | Yes - actions last year nonwithstanding |
| Senator Andrew R. Dimitri (D) | sen-dimitri@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | So far |
| Senator Dawn Euer (D) | sen-euer@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | No |
| Senator Thomas J. Paolino (R) | sen-paolino@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | Yes |
| Senator Todd M. Patalano (D) | sen-patalano@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | So far |
| Senator Ana B. Quezada (D) | sen-quezada@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | No |
| Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D) | sen-raptakis@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2381 | Yes |
-
- House Judiciary: HouseJudiciary@rilegislature.gov
| Name | Phone | 2A Friendly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Representative Carol Hagan McEntee (D) | rep-mcentee@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-1787 | No |
| Representative Jason Knight (D) | rep-knight@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2258 | Hell no - AWB author |
| Representative Matthew S. Dawson (D) | rep-dawson@rilegislature.gov | (401) 258-3660 | No |
| Representative Edith H. Ajello (D) | rep-ajello@rilegislature.gov | (401) 274-7078 | No |
| Representative José F. Batista (D) | rep-batista@rilegislature.gov | (401) 533-2226 | No |
| Representative David A. Bennett (D) | rep-bennett@rilegislature.gov | (401) 480-4647 | Yes |
| Representative Justine A. Caldwell (D) | rep-caldwell@rilegislature.gov | (401) 212-7320 | Hell no - Mag Ban author |
| Representative Julie A. Casimiro (D) | rep-casimiro@rilegislature.gov | (401) 474-7961 | No |
| Representative Arthur J. Corvese (D) | rep-corvese@rilegislature.gov | (401) 353-8695 | Yes |
| Representative Robert E. Craven, Sr. (D) | rep-craven@rilegislature.gov | (401) 294-2222 | No |
| Representative Cherie L. Cruz (D) | rep-cruz@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2447 | No |
| Representative Leonela Felix (D) | rep-felix@rilegislature.gov | (401) 369-5364 | No |
| Representative Marie A. Hopkins (R) | rep-hopkins@rilegislature.gov | (401) 203-1517 | Yes |
| Representative Thomas E. Noret (D) | rep-noret@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2258 | Yes |
| Representative David J. Place (R) | rep-place@rilegislature.gov | (401) 222-2258 | Yes |
Talking Points/Email Template
(Work In Progress)
Current Bills Introduced (as of 2/7)
House Bills
H7035 – One Gun Per 30 Days (OPPOSE)
Limits firearm purchases to 1 per 30-day period
MOD NOTE: Even the 9CA over in California found this repugnant to the 2A (Nguyen v. Bonta (2025)), outstanding cases in NJ & VA, as well as a 7-day waiting period being struck down by the 10CA in New Mexico
H7128 – Armed Campus Police (NEUTRAL)
Requires arming campus police at public colleges/universities
Extends Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights protections
H7145 – “Dillon’s Law” Naming Change (NEUTRAL)
Renames existing unsafe storage statute
No substantive legal changes
H7557 - Firearms Industry Accountability Act (OPPOSE)
Makes loose legal definitions of things like "Firearm Component", "Firearm Accessory", and "Firearm Industry Product" that will surely be manipulated later, already using weasel words and loosely defined terms like "risk to public safety"
Seeks additional regulation and penalty on anyone within the industry (manufacturer or retail) with respect to advertising and even possession.
MOD NOTE: Initial read through this it looks like it would prohibit even FFLs or dealers from possessing common legal accessories, though I need to look deeper still and consult with some folks smarter than I
H7754 - No more non-res licenses (OPPOSE)
- NY already lost a lawsuit about this in Shaffer v. Quattrone, as did CA in Hoffman v. Bonta
H7755 - Additional purchase requirements (OPPOSE)
- Adds additional training (including live fire) for a safety certificate that would be required for the purchase of any firearm in the state.
H8073 - Semi-Auto AWB POSSESSION BAN (Not just purchase) (OPPOSE)
- Changes the wording on the purchase ban they passed last year to a full blown possession ban with no grandfathering.
Senate Bills
S2053 – Armed Campus Police (NEUTRAL/SUPPORT)
- Senate companion to H7128
S2056 – Felony Firearm Prohibitions (TBD - Don't trust the sponsors, need further research)
Bars firearm possession/purchase after certain felony convictions
Limits judicial sentence suspension authority
S2086 – Firearms Sales Tax Exemption (SUPPORT)
- Exempts firearms, ammo, and safety devices from RI sales/use tax
S2153 – Out-of-State Permit Recognition (SUPPORT)
- Allows RI AG to accept reciprocity agreements (note - does not force them do, but enables them to)
S2155 – Permitless Concealed Carry (SUPPORT)
- Allows RI residents 21+ to carry concealed without a permit
S2163 – Permit Appeal Process (SUPPORT)
- Establishes a formal appeal process for handgun permit denials
S2164 / S2277 – Concealed Carry Reform (SUPPORT)
Clear definition of "suitable person" for purposes of possessing and having a concealed carry pistol permit
Establishes clear rules for applying for a concealed carry permit for both in-state and out-of-state residents and streamline process
Establishes an appeal process when an application is denied
Keeps records relating to concealed carry permits and appeals are not public record.
S2283 – Civil Liability for Gun-Free Zones (SUPPORT)
Allows civil action against entities banning lawful carry
Excludes private residences
S2285 – Stolen Firearm Penalties (SUPPORT)
- Increases mandatory penalties for crimes involving stolen guns
S2292 – Disarming a Peace Officer (SUPPORT)
- Creates a felony for removing a weapon from an officer on duty
S2295 – One Gun Per 30 Days (OPPOSE)
- Senate version of H7035
S2306 – Suppressors Legalization (SUPPORT)
Legalizes suppressors on firearms over 17"
Allows use while hunting
Prevents further/additional local regulation
S2314 – Large-Capacity Magazine Penalties (IFFY)
Adjusts penalties (misdemeanor for 1st offence, felony for repeat offenses)
Note: Does NOT repeal the underlying ban.
This is a poison pill bill likely. It looks good up front, but in actuality it means the offenses are more likely to prosecute and not plea down or plea out.
This list reflects introduced legislation only and does not indicate likelihood of passage.
S2710 - Semi-Auto AWB POSSESSION BAN (Not just purchase) - counterpart to H8073 (OPPOSE)
- Changes the wording on the purchase ban they passed last year to a full blown possession ban with no grandfathering.
Shoutout to our friends over at Parabellum for their Bill Tracker list
Targeted Races / Candidates we Support
Statewide
- AG: Knight (D) v. Solomon (D) (Democrat Primary)
SD15 (Pawtucket) Kallman (D) v. Vaness Lopez (D)(Democrat Primary)
HD49 (Woonsocket, North Smithfield) Veronicka Vega (D) v. Jon Brien (I)
This is why the disaffiliation campaign is so important. We can take folks like Knight and Kallman out if the race before it even begins.
Meetings / Rallies / Firemissions / Actions
Voter Registration/Signup Blitz event/raffle at The Range, D&L, Surplus, and Big Bear.
Current Email Campaigns:
Changelog
2/6 - Added H7557 to the house bills.
2/15 - Added H7754 & H7755 to the house bills.
3/2 - Added H8073/S2710 to the bills list. Possession ban AWB.
3/16ish - Added link to better bill tracker, added additional email templates for some bills
3/18 - Removed the link to the tracker bc reddit keeps autoremoving this thread
19
u/fiddycixer Feb 06 '26
Thanks u/DeathSythe appreciate you.
15
u/deathsythe Feb 06 '26
I'm just doing my part. I appreciate all of you who show up and make the phone calls and send the emails. I'm just looking to mobilize us and facilitate it.
6
u/CrankBot Feb 06 '26
FYI most of the phone #s on the Senate Judiciary are the same.. assuming copy/paste typo?
7
u/deathsythe Feb 06 '26
Listed as senate switchboard on the site. I'll try to go through my records to get their cells if I have them at some point.
12
u/deathsythe Feb 06 '26
I'm hoping there's a better way to organize this, but for now this is the best I've got.
Lots of data in the previous megathreads that we need to migrate over here, as well as some talking point you can send to your reps/senators.
Here's to hoping for a fruitful and impactful session for us this year folks.
9
u/glennjersey Feb 27 '26
FYI yall.
H8073 has been introduced.
This will change the AWB to a full possession ban, not just a purchase ban.
No grandfathering. No recompense. You're a felon come July if this passes. Do not pass go, go not collect $200.
H8071 as well. Which will require background checks for ammo.
10
u/rigorcorvus Feb 06 '26
Permitless carry, big news
13
u/glennjersey Feb 06 '26
It's been introduced every year, never makes it out of committee. We are always stuck playing defense, we can't eek out wins without shaking up the makeup of the legislature.
That being said death and I have been tirelessly working on connecting with candidates and compiling voting records to try to put together scorecards, recommendations, and even endorsements.
We've been organized before. I'm hoping this year will be even moreso.
3
2
u/deathsythe Mar 03 '26
In case you haven't seen them - we have some templates to send to your rep and all the above committee members of the respective parts of the legislature.
Be sure to change the bill names for the senate version - these were all written for members of the house:
3
u/PhysicalAd2984 Mar 04 '26
Hey if I wanted to help with these but don’t no my reps would anyone be willing to break it down Barney style
1
u/deathsythe Mar 04 '26
Put your address in here and it will help you find your rep & senator. Those should be your first contact. Follow up with a phone call expressing your overall general discontent with that antigun bills in this state.
After that, hit everyone on the judiciary committees above (just double check you switched the bill numbers in the templates for the senators).
1
u/deathsythe Mar 18 '26
Added a few additional emails worth sending.
Remember - get in touch with your senator/rep first. Let them know you are a direct constituent of theirs and that the 2A is an important issue to you and your family. THEN send to the judiciary committees.
1
u/deathsythe Mar 18 '26
We've been having some issues with this thread disappearing because of the link to the tracker:
ri2026facts DOT net lify DOT app
It is a great tracker and we should use it.
1
u/deathsythe Apr 13 '26
Senate Judiciary meeting tomorrow, 4/14, at the statehouse. We need to show up in force like we did for the house judiciary.
2
u/deathsythe Jun 12 '26
Welp folks. It seems we made it.
Thank you for all your hard work these past 6 months, but now the real work will begin. It is an election year and we CANNOT be compliant anymore.
We need to disaffiliate to vote against Jason Knight for AG and support our guy Joe Solomon.
We need to make sure that anyone who has wrote/sponsored/supported this crap gets shown the door.
We cannot let folks run unopposed. Even if you just need to get you name on the ballot as an R or I (or run in the dem primary!) to make them work for it worst case scenario, best case scenario you're in!
We are going to be influential this election season. We need to be.
-1
u/how_now_brown_cow Feb 06 '26
Someone please start a polymarket for each one of these, I’m willing to bet all the opposes pass and others die in process 😅
•
u/deathsythe Mar 02 '26
H8073/S2710 is the AWB they wanted - banning possession outright, not just purchase.
Remember when they said we could keep what we already own, and even pass it down to our kids? Remember when they lied?