Understanding the Real Impact of Gun Control Laws in Rhode Island

Legislative Overreach: What’s Really Happening in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is once again taking aim at the Second Amendment, and this time the legislative scope is broader and more intrusive than ever. State lawmakers are pushing forward a series of new gun control measures — including an all-out assault weapons ban — in defiance of both the Constitution and the will of many law-abiding citizens.

On May 14th, the Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hear public testimony on several firearms-related bills. These include a ban on so-called “assault weapons,” a move that remains controversial and unfounded when analyzed through the lens of data and liberty. But what legislators fail to acknowledge is that such bans overwhelmingly punish responsible gun owners — not criminals.

The Myth of “Assault Weapons”

The entire narrative behind banning “assault weapons” is built on political rhetoric rather than actual crime data. These semi-automatic rifles, often demonized in mainstream media, are rarely used in violent crimes. According to FBI statistics, rifles account for a tiny fraction of annual gun-related homicides.

Yet despite this fact, lawmakers in Rhode Island are planning to criminalize the possession of these firearms, effectively turning law-abiding citizens into criminals overnight. According to the bills on the table:

• The ownership, sale, and transfer of ‘assault weapons’ would become illegal
• Existing owners could be forced to surrender their firearms or face criminal charges
• No grandfather clause or compensation has been guaranteed

This isn’t about public safety — it’s about government control.

Backlash From Patriots and Trainers Alike

As these liberty-eroding bills are being introduced, citizens and Second Amendment supporters are fighting back. A pro-gun rally is planned at the State House on the same day as the Senate hearing, signaling a growing resistance to unconstitutional legislation. At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we join millions of other Americans in saying: enough is enough.

Here in South Carolina, we understand the value and sanctity of our Constitutional rights. Our mission is to empower citizens through responsible firearm training, not to restrict their freedoms. When you disarm a nation, you make tyranny easier — and that’s exactly what laws like these are paving the way for.

What These Laws Truly Accomplish

Anti-gun legislation is often presented under the guise of “safety.” But let’s break down what these laws would actually do:

• Strip rights from compliant, law-abiding Americans
• Do nothing to combat the illegal gun market or mental health crises
• Limit citizens’ ability to defend themselves and their families
• Set dangerous legal precedents for further gun confiscation

If the government can dictate what type of firearm you own today, what stops them from deciding who gets to own firearms tomorrow?

Fortress Firearms Training: Committed to Safety and Liberty

At Fortress Firearms Training, we believe an educated and trained citizen is one of the most powerful deterrents to crime and tyranny. That’s why we focus heavily on:

• Hands-on firearms safety courses
• Legal education for responsible carry and ownership
• Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) training in South Carolina
• Confidence-building sessions for new and seasoned shooters

We prepare everyday people — from college students to grandmothers — to take responsibility for their own safety. Legislators in Rhode Island could learn a lot from that mindset: educate, don’t criminalize.

Second Amendment Rights Are Non-Negotiable

The Founding Fathers were crystal clear when writing the Second Amendment: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” There’s no asterisk. No caveat. No room for interpretation.

Gun control advocates often argue that times have changed — that the Founders couldn’t have foreseen modern firearms. But freedom is timeless. The tools of tyranny may evolve, but so must the tools of defense. Just as the press has adapted from quill pens to the internet, the American people must have access to modern firearms to defend against modern threats.

Don’t Be Fooled by Feel-Good Legislation

The term “common-sense gun laws” may sound appealing, but too often these are Trojan horses for sweeping rights violations. Rhode Island’s proposed laws don’t make people safer — they merely create soft targets out of law-abiding citizens.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we see firsthand how knowledge and proper training lead to safer communities — not bans and bureaucracy. Instead of disarming responsible citizens, our leaders should be fostering a culture of responsibility, education, and self-reliance.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Bills like those being proposed in Rhode Island reveal a growing movement to restrict fundamental rights under the guise of public safety. But we cannot stand idly by while political elites attempt to dismantle our freedoms one law at a time.

So what can you do?

• Support organizations that actively defend Second Amendment rights
• Take firearms safety courses to become a responsible, informed gun owner
• Voice your opinion to elected officials, before it’s decided for you
• Share accurate information and help debunk misinformation about firearms

Proud to Serve the Palmetto State

As a South Carolina-based training center, Fortress Firearms Training is committed to protecting your rights and equipping you with the knowledge to defend yourself and others. Unlike many lawmakers, we trust free Americans to make responsible decisions — and we give them the tools to do so confidently.

We stand with every citizen rallying for their freedom in Rhode Island and across this great nation. Our Second Amendment is not up for debate — and we will defend it at all costs.

For more information on firearms training and how to get started with your CWP, visit our website at Fortress Firearms Training.

Stay safe. Stay free. And never surrender your rights.