Senate passes safe-storage gun bill after lengthy debate; amendment adopted 28–7

The Rhode Island Senate passed S 2202, a bill imposing safe-storage requirements for firearms, after extended debate and a floor amendment. The bill, sponsored by Senator Lauria, passed as amended by a recorded vote of 28–7.

Senator Lauria, the bill's sponsor, framed S 2202 as a public‑health measure she said was akin to a "seat belt bill for responsible gun ownership," arguing that secure storage reduces child deaths, suicides and thefts. She told colleagues the bill mandates that firearms not being carried by the owner be "secured in a locked container or equipped with a safety device that prevents unauthorized use," requires trigger locks be included with sales of all guns, and raises the age used in the statute from 16 to 18.

The sponsor also described penalties in the bill: an infraction with a maximum fine of $250 for an initial violation, escalating with multiple violations and with a possibility of imprisonment on a third offense; access by a legally prohibited person or resulting harm can convert certain violations into misdemeanor or felony charges under the bill's text.

The chamber adopted a floor amendment (identified in debate as LC 4006/2) that struck the word "loaded" from the draft to correct a drafting error and align the language with prior versions of the statute. The amendment was adopted by roll-call vote, 28 in favor and 7 opposed, and the act then passed as amended by the same margin.

Opponents raised constitutional and practical concerns. Senator Rogers recounted a hypothetical in which a legally armed homeowner could be charged under the new law if a firearm left in plain sight on a kitchen cabinet were discovered by responding officers during a medical emergency; he warned the change could remove "guardrails" that the existing safe-storage statute provided. Senator De la Cruz said the bill was "poorly written" and "vague," and warned that leaving interpretive questions to prosecutors or judges would create uncertainty for law‑abiding citizens. Several senators invoked past U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the Second Amendment when framing their opposition.

Senator Lauria and other supporters said the bill does not remove the right to own or lawfully use firearms, but imposes responsibilities to keep weapons out of the reach of children and those legally barred from possession. The sponsor pointed to national and state statistics during her remarks and said the bill is intended to reduce child firearm injuries and deaths by promoting secure storage and reducing theft.

The Senate record shows the amendment vote as 28–7 and the final passage vote as 28–7. The measure will be transmitted to the House of Representatives as part of the legislative process.