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6/11/2026
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Assembly passes DiPalma, Read legislation that makes disarming a police officer a felony
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STATE HOUSE – The General Assembly today passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma and Rep. Earl A. Read III that would make it a felony to disarm, or attempt to disarm, a police officer.
“Disarming, or attempting to disarm, a law enforcement officer is about as serious and dangerous as a situation can get. There need to be strict consequences for an action that poses such grave harm to law enforcement officers, civilians and to those engaged with the police at the time of the incident,” said Senator DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).
“As a retired law enforcement officer, I can say that nothing is more dangerous or escalates a tense situation quicker than attempting to, or removing, a law enforcement officer’s firearm. It’s extremely dangerous for the officer, for the perpetrator and for the surrounding public. Such actions need to come with serious penalties to deter this behavior and this legislation accomplishes that,” said Representative Read (D-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick).
The legislation (2026-S 2292A, 2026-H 7753A) states that any person who knowingly removes or attempts to remove a firearm, deadly weapon, or less-lethal weapon, or knowingly deprives or attempts to deprive the use of a mobile communication device or radio used in the performance of official duty, from the person of a peace officer, or investigator of the Department of the Attorney General, will have committed a felony, and shall be imprisoned for up to five years and/or be subject to a $5,000 fine.
The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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