EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee recently passed House Bill 5436 Sub A, also known as the Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025. This legislation aims to prohibit the manufacture, sale and possession of certain semiautomatic firearms classified as assault weapons. The bill does not delete any existing legal language but adds extensive new regulations. If enacted, the law could restrict hunters in Rhode Island and potentially impact conservation funding. The companion bill Senate Bill 359, which would establish the act, is still pending.
Modern turkey hunting firearms often feature enhancements such as pistol grips or thumb hole stocks, which will now fall under assault weapon definitions outlined in the proposed ban, potentially impacting the availability and legality of such firearms in Rhode Island.
“The firearms ban could also unintentionally reduce critical conservation funding provided through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which supports wildlife management, habitat restoration and hunter education across the state,” said Kaylee Szymanski, NWTF district biologist for New England. “This funding is generated from excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic models commonly used for hunting and recreational shooting. By restricting the sale and ownership of these firearms, the bill risks decreasing overall firearm and ammunition purchases, which in turn would lower the funding created by these sales reducing the amount allocated to Rhode Island.”
This act is also likely to indirectly affect conservation organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), like the NWTF, that rely on fundraising events where firearms are offered as prizes. NWTF conducts over a thousand fundraising banquets annually, generating significant revenue through the sale and raffle of hunting-related merchandise, including specialized turkey hunting firearms.
Money raised at these events goes toward supporting wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, research and outreach events. Putting restrictions on certain firearms could reduce funds raised for conservation programs and undermine the financial support that organizations like the NWTF depend on.
Through its Forests and Flocks Initiative, the NWTF is engaging in policy efforts in the Northeast that stand up for hunters’ rights and help facilitate outdoor experiences for all hunters.
“This bill in Rhode Island illustrates how important language is in crafting legislation,” said Tom Spezze, NWTF national director of conservation programs. “By not fully understanding the critical role that firearms play in hunting, wildlife conservation and recreation, the Rhode Island legislature is inadvertently removing this important tool from the conservation toolbox as well as making it harder for conservation non-profits, like NWTF, to raise funds for conservation and for families to enjoy the life-changing power of the outdoors. This is why the NWTF’s Forests and Flocks is addressing policy issues in the Northeast and is what drives the NWTF to monitor policy in the halls of state capitols across the country.”
If enacted, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2026, with provisions allowing current owners to retain their firearms under specific conditions.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
