Rhode Island requires basic firearm safety training and changes firearm purchase applications under Senate Bill 2726

Original title: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS -- RESPONSIBLE FIREARM PURCHASING ACT (Changes the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course.)

Last action · April 14, 2026: Committee recommended measure be held for further studySponsors: Mark McKenney and 7 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

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What This Bill Proposed

Rhode Island requires all individuals seeking to possess a firearm, excluding police and military personnel, to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course. The legislation also updates the application process required to purchase a firearm.

Why it matters

Residents seeking to own or possess firearms face mandatory training requirements that previously did not apply universally, shifting the prerequisites for gun ownership in the state.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Firearm purchasers

Individuals applying to purchase a firearm must complete a new application process and pass a basic firearm safety training course.

Directly affected

Police and military personnel

Law enforcement and military personnel are explicitly exempted from the basic firearm safety training course requirement.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to take the basic firearm safety training course?

All persons seeking to possess a firearm must complete and pass the course, with exceptions only for police and military personnel.

What does this legislation change about buying a gun?

It changes the application to purchase a firearm and institutes a mandatory training course requirement for possession.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 14, 2026
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Apr 10, 2026
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/14/2026)
Feb 27, 2026Introduced
Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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