Rhode Island lawmakers pass bill to ban sales of assault weapons

Rhode Island’s Democratic‑led House has passed a bill banning the sale and manufacturing of many semiautomatic rifles, commonly known as assault weapons. Gov. Dan McKee has pledged to sign it into law, making Rhode Island the 11th state with such a restriction. The ban does not apply to possession, drawing criticism from both gun‑rights advocates and some gun‑control supporters who view it as too weak. Supporters say it’s a necessary step toward curbing mass shootings, while opponents argue it infringes on constitutional rights and punishes law‑abiding gun owners, NBC News has reported. Legal challenges are expected, with the U.S. Supreme Court possibly taking up the issue soon.