Rhode Island Current — Compromises on assault weapons, casino smoking and CRMC reform mark end of 2025 session

Parliamentarian Robert Richie, left, Senate President Valarie Lawson, center, and Chief of Staff John Fleming, right cool off with Del’s Lemonade Friday afternoon, June 20, 2025, during debate on the bill to ban the manufacture and sale of assault-style weapons in Rhode Island. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)

June 20, 2025

By Nancy Lavin — Lawmakers keep their cool in marathon last day, mostly avoiding sweeping changes

Explosive debate over assault-style weapons — what types of guns and owners to restrict, if any — carried through the final day of the 2025 legislative session Friday.

After a series of failed attempts to weaken and strengthen a proposed limit on assault-style weapons, a ban on sales and manufacturing — but not possession — ultimately prevailed.

True to form, lawmakers found plenty more to debate and discuss over the marathon day that stretched late into the evening.

As the sun went down, the temperature inside the airless second-floor chambers seemed to rise. On what was the first full day of summer, lawmakers quenched their thirst with Del’s frozen lemonade and an endless carousel of caffeinated beverages.

Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone donned shorts in an unusually casual fashion choice, displaying a rarely seen calf tattoo of his late dog, Gunther.

Here’s a look at where things stood as of 10 p.m.

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