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HB 7753

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- DISARMING A PEACE OFFICER

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chippendale and 9 co-sponsors

Bill establishes criminal penalties for disarming or attempting to disarm law enforcement officers during duty, strengthening officer safety protections through specific statutory language.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7753

Legislative bill overview

HB 7753 proposes to create or modify criminal penalties related to disarming a peace officer in Rhode Island. The bill targets the act of removing, attempting to remove, or knowingly facilitating the removal of a weapon from a law enforcement officer during the performance of their duties. This would establish specific criminal liability for actions that endanger officer safety and compromise law enforcement operations.

Why is this important

Officer safety is a documented concern in law enforcement, and disarming incidents can escalate situations to lethal force encounters. Creating explicit statutory language around disarming makes the legislature's intent clear, potentially affecting prosecution strategies, sentencing guidelines, and plea negotiation standards. Such legislation also signals public policy priorities regarding protection of law enforcement during their duties.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional scope: Questions about what constitutes "attempting" to disarm or "knowingly facilitating" removal—broad language could capture unintended contact or bystanders, while narrow language might leave gaps in protection
  • Sentencing severity: Disagreement over whether disarming should carry felony or misdemeanor penalties, and how penalties compare to actual harm caused versus potential harm
  • Self-defense vs. criminal liability: Tension between protecting officers and ensuring individuals retain rights to resist unlawful force, particularly in cases of alleged excessive force or improper police conduct

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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