Provides for a cause of action against an individual or entity that prohibits the possession of firearms on real property, except residences, by an individual that is authorized and licensed to carry a firearm.

Rhode Island Senate Bill Summary

This bill would give licensed gun owners the legal right to sue a property owner or business if they are prohibited from carrying their firearm on that property. Specifically, if someone has a valid license to carry a firearm and a property owner or entity — such as a store, employer, or other business — posts a "no guns" policy or otherwise bans firearms on their premises, the licensed gun carrier could take that property owner to court. Importantly, the bill does not apply to private residences, meaning homeowners could still prohibit guns in their own homes without facing a lawsuit.

The bill affects two main groups of people: licensed firearm carriers and property owners or businesses. For licensed carriers, it would provide a new legal tool to challenge gun-free policies on private or commercial property. For businesses, landlords, and other property owners, it would potentially limit their ability to ban firearms on their premises without facing legal consequences. In practice, this could discourage businesses from establishing no-gun policies, since doing so might expose them to lawsuits.

This bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken. It represents a significant shift in how the competing interests of gun owners' rights and private property rights would be balanced under Rhode Island law.