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Warwick council opposes proposed state assault-weapons ban after hours of debate and public comment; amends resolution to remove rebuttable-presumption language
Summary
After more than three hours of debate and nearly two hours of public comment, the Warwick City Council passed (6–3) an amended resolution opposing the Rhode Island assault-weapons bill, asking the General Assembly to remove a provision that creates a rebuttable presumption of illegal procurement and to require procedures for duplicate "certificates of possession."
The Warwick City Council voted 6–3 to approve an amended resolution opposing H5436 / S359, the Rhode Island assault-weapons bill, after extended debate and a large public-comment period in which dozens of residents urged both support and opposition.
Council sponsor and several council members framed the resolution as a defense of residents’ Second Amendment rights and a response to potential unfunded municipal burdens in enforcing a statewide ban. The council considered two alternates before adopting one that specifically asks the General Assembly to remove a provision that would create a rebuttable presumption that certain weapons were procured after 07/01/2026 and to require a clear process for issuing duplicate certificates for owners who choose to obtain a certificate of possession.
"I object to that legislation,"…
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