On Wednesday, Rhode Island Representative Teresa Tanzi, a Democrat, voiced her support for a contentious move to repeal a legislative grandfather clause. This repeal would empower authorities to compel AR-15 owners to relinquish their rifles, invoking “police power” to enforce compliance.

Back in March, it was highlighted that Democratic legislators in Rhode Island were actively working to eliminate the grandfather clause included in last year’s “assault weapons” ban. This clause had initially allowed existing firearm owners to retain their now-prohibited weapons. The current push by Democrats aims to abolish this exception and introduce severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to ten years, for mere possession of an AR-15. The legislative vehicle for this initiative is Bill H8073.

Tanzi spoke in favor of H8703 on Wednesday, saying, “Last year, we as a body, banned the sale, manufacture, and transfer, of certain ‘assault weapons’ as defined in that law. That was an important step, but it was only a partial one. We should be honest about that.”

In her remarks, Tanzi clarified that the proposed legislation, H8073, mandates that current AR-15 owners must “comply by selling or transferring them lawfully.” This would align with the new legal standards set by the potential law.

Addressing concerns about potential violations of the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause, Tanzi argued that the state’s actions constitute an exercise of its “police power” rather than an unlawful “taking of property for public use.” This distinction is crucial in the ongoing debate over property rights versus public safety.

Tanzi explained that H8073 will force current AR-15 owners “to come into compliance by selling or transferring them lawfully.”

Tanzi addressed concerns that forcing AR-15 owners to get rid of their property violates the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause. She countered these concerns by claiming the situation in Rhode Island is one in which a state “is exercising its police power” rather than “taking property for public use.”