H7035 / S2295 (2026): One Gun Per 30 Days Purchase Limit

House Bill 7035 (Rep. Boylan, Caldwell, Tanzi, and others) and Senate Bill 2295 (Sens. McKenney, LaMountain, Bissaillon, and others) would limit firearm purchases to one per 30-day period in Rhode Island^[1].

What the Bills Would Change

Currently, Rhode Island has no limit on the number of firearms a person can purchase within a given time period (beyond the existing 7-day waiting period for handguns). These companion bills would add a 30-day cooling-off period between purchases. The following exemptions would apply:

• Law enforcement officers exempt under sections 11-47-9 and 11-47-9.1
• A transfer to an estate representative or heir under an authorization issued or ordered by a probate court
• A participant in a training, firearm safety or shooting course of instruction, during the period of instruction
• Range rentals (temporary possession at licensed facilities)
• A transfer of a curio or relic to a licensed curio or relic collector

How It Compares

Several states have enacted similar one-gun-per-month laws. Virginia had such a law from 1993 to 2012, then repealed it, then reenacted it in 2020. California, Maryland, and New Jersey currently have purchase frequency limits. Proponents argue these laws reduce straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Opponents argue they infringe on lawful purchasers' rights without meaningfully reducing crime.

Current Status

S2295 was scheduled for hearing and/or consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 14, 2026, and the committee recommended that it be held for further study that day. H7035 was heard by the House Judiciary Committee on April 8, 2026 and held for further study. Neither bill passed before the House and Senate recessed on June 11, 2026, and neither chamber had met again as of October 15, 2026, so Rhode Island still has no purchase-frequency limit. Unless the General Assembly reconvenes before its term ends, both bills would need to be reintroduced in a future session^[2].