Ethics Commission Rules Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader – an FFL – Can Vote on Proposed ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban Bill

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Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone’s side business selling guns out of his house does not prevent him from discussing and voting on an assault-style weapons ban or other gun legislation, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission decided Tuesday.

The ethics panel’s 8-1 vote follows the recommendation put forth by its expert staff, which concluded that Ciccone’s federal firearms license is not a conflict of interest with the high-profile gun legislation pending at the Rhode Island State House. The four-page opinion, presented by Staff Attorney Lynne Radiches, invoked the class exemption within the state’s ethics code, reasoning that Ciccone does not stand to benefit, or suffer, any more or less from state gun laws than the other 98 federally licensed firearms dealers in the state, including the other 79 with a Class 1 license.

Ciccone, a Providence Democrat, referenced the same exemption in his letter to the Ethics Commission asking for advice. 

Ciccone, who did not attend Tuesday’s meeting, was unaware of the commission’s decision until he was contacted by Rhode Island Current.

“I believe they looked at all the facts, and they came to their conclusion,” Ciccone said.

However, the advisory opinion comes with an important caveat: If any of the gun bills under review by the Rhode Island General Assembly, including the assault weapons ban legislation, are amended in a way that impacts Ciccone, or fellow Class 1 license holders, more than other federal firearms dealers, Ciccone should recuse himself or seek a new advisory opinion.

Ciccone, a longtime opponent to state gun restrictions, has already indicated he wants to see changes to the assault-style weapons ban in order for him to support it.

— Nancy Lavin in Ciccone can vote on assault weapons ban, other gun bills, R.I. ethics panel says

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11 thoughts on “Ethics Commission Rules Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader – an FFL – Can Vote on Proposed ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban Bill”

  5. .40 cal Booger

    A reminder for Force Reset Triggers (FRT’s):

    You may or may not be aware that the Trump administration DOJ has stopped all ATF cases against FRT’s. These cases proceeded under the Biden reign of tyranny terror with the ATF as the violent goose-stepping fascist implementing unconstitutional and illegal rule making to further the Biden agenda of ‘rule by fiat’ to create ‘defacto law’ intended to bypass the constitutional law making authority of congress and subvert the constitution to the will and whims of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and anti-gun organizations (i.e. Giffords, Brady, EveryTown, Moms Demand Action, etc…).

    Anyway, aside from the many cases where the Biden ATF used threat of deadly force at gun point to terrorize and bully innocent American citizens to further a war on the constitution and American citizens – there were the FRT’s that were illegally and unconstitutionally seized by ATF.

    Recently, there was an agreement reached as part of the Trump DOJ’s actions to protect the constitution and the second amendment from the illegal and unconstitutional actions of the Biden administration. Basically, part of the agreement was that FRT’s were declared [ ‘in perpetuity’] NOT TO BE MACHINE GUNS and all the cases against FRT’s were to be dropped, and FRT’s that were seized are to be returned to whomever they were seized from.

    If you fall into the area where you had an FRT seized you have until 30 Sept 2025 to fill out the request that your FRT(s) be returned. The instructions for this are on the ATF web site.

    Reply
  6. .40 cal Booger

    ATF to Lose Chunk of NFA?

    Could the *ATF’s grip on suppressors* finally be coming to an end? A new amendment in Congress could remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act, *eliminating the \$200 tax* and cutting through the red tape.

    🔴 Armed Attorneys Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes break down Amendment 487 to the *One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)* and what it could mean for the future of SBRs, suppressors, and NFA regulation.

    📋 In this episode:

    What Amendment 487 actually does
    How *reconciliation in Congress* could fast-track suppressor deregulation
    Why the *Byrd Rule* could still derail this bill
    What states *won’t be able to do* if this passes
    Why you should care even if you don’t own a suppressor.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUVsPWtj2fM

    Reply
  8. .40 cal Booger

    Left-Wing Terrorist attack: Israeli Embassy Staffers Shot And Murdered Outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington.

    “Two Israeli embassy staffers members were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. by a Pro-Palestinian activist.

    The shooting occurred on May 21, at 9:15 PM on the 300 block of F Street NW, next to the museum, which was hosting the American Jewish Committee’s Young Diplomats Reception last night.
    …
    The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the identity of the two victims and said that D.C. Metropolitan Police has taken in a suspect for questioning.

    The suspect was identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, Illinois, who had reportedly shouted ‘Free, free Palestine!’ as he was taken into custody, according to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.

    Smith added, ‘After the shooting, [the perpetrator] entered the museum and was detained by security. The suspect identified where he discarded the weapon which was since recovered.
    …”

    https://pjmedia.com/bryan-s-jung/2025/05/21/israeli-embassy-staffers-shot-and-murdered-outside-us-capitol-by-pro-palestinian-activists-n4940040

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