PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Senate has advanced a package of gun control measures that includes a ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, drawing fierce opposition from Second Amendment advocates who argue the legislation violates constitutional rights and will do nothing to reduce crime.

The legislation, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee along party lines, would ban the sale and possession of semi-automatic rifles with certain features that the bill defines as "assault weapons," as well as magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. Existing owners of such firearms would be required to register them with the state police or face criminal penalties.

"These weapons of war have no place on our streets," said Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio, who sponsored the legislation.

Second Amendment advocates and gun rights organizations have vowed to challenge the legislation in court if it becomes law, arguing that it violates the Supreme Court's recent rulings on the Second Amendment, including the landmark Bruen decision.

"This legislation is unconstitutional, and we will fight it in every court in the land," said Patrick Sheehan, president of the Rhode Island Second Amendment Coalition. "The Supreme Court has been clear that the Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms that are in common use, and the firearms targeted by this bill are owned by millions of law-abiding Americans."

Critics of the legislation also argue that it will have no meaningful impact on crime, since the vast majority of gun crimes in Rhode Island are committed with handguns, not the semi-automatic rifles targeted by the bill.

"This is feel-good legislation that will punish law-abiding gun owners while doing nothing to stop criminals," said Representative Patricia Morgan. "Criminals don't follow gun laws. That's what makes them criminals."