Lou believes law-abiding gun owners — sportsmen, hunters, collectors, and homeowners — shouldn't be treated as the problem. Policy should target actual criminal misuse of firearms, not the ability of law-abiding Rhode Islanders to own, sell, or pass down a lawfully owned firearm.

The current law: Rhode Island's statewide ban on the sale, manufacture, and transfer of certain semi-automatic firearms (enacted as 2025-S 0359A, Chapter 281) took effect July 1, 2026. As passed, the law restricts sale, manufacture, and transfer of covered firearms — it does not ban possession by owners who already lawfully hold them. A separate bill, H8073, has been introduced that would remove that grandfather clause; as of this writing it has not passed.

Lou opposes this law and will work at the State House to repeal it. As a firearms enthusiast himself, he understands firsthand the impact these restrictions have on sportsmen and rural gun owners in District 41.

Agree with Lou on this issue?

Frequently Asked Questions

No. As passed, the law restricts the sale, manufacture, and transfer of covered semi-automatic firearms — it does not ban possession by owners who already lawfully hold one.

Yes. H8073 has been introduced and would remove the existing-owner grandfather clause. As of this writing it has not passed.

Yes — Lou is a firearms enthusiast.