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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Burke and 7 co-sponsors

Creates a felony offense for removing or attempting to remove a peace officer’s weapons or communications devices, with 1–5 years imprisonment.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor

Summary of SB 2292 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

Establishes new felony offense for disarming a peace officer or an investigator of the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General.

The bill aims to protect law enforcement personnel and those assisting in official duties by making it unlawful to remove or attempt to remove weapons or certain tools used in the performance of official duties.

Key provisions and changes

New Chapter 71 added to Title 11 (Criminal Offenses), titled “Disarming a Peace Officer.”

Offense: Any person who knowingly:

Removes or attempts to remove a firearm or any deadly weapon, or a less-lethal weapon (including blunt impact devices, chemical irritants, or conducted energy devices) from a peace officer, or
Deprives or attempts to deprive the officer of the use of a mobile communication device or radio used in the officer’s performance of official duty.

Targeted individuals:

Peace officers as defined in Rhode Island law (Section 12-7-21).
Investigators of the Department of Attorney General appointed under § 42-9-8.1.

Penalty: Classifies the act as a felony, with a minimum sentence of 1 year and a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment.

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who and what would be affected

Individuals who commit the offense (removing or attempting to remove weapons or communication devices) would face felony charges.

Peace officers and Department of Attorney General investigators would be the protected personnel.

Law enforcement operations and officer safety protocols involving weapons and communications equipment would be directly implicated.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the Senate on January 23, 2026.

Referred to Senate Judiciary, with subsequent committee actions:

Committee recommends passage (April 2, 2026)
Senate read and passed (April 7, 2026)

House action:

Referred to House Judiciary (April 8, 2026)
Scheduled for consideration (June 8, 2026)

Effective date is immediate upon passage (no separate stage of implementation required).

Notes for context

The bill broadens protections for law enforcement and AG investigators by criminalizing the act of disarming them or interfering with their critical communications equipment.

It includes a range of weapons and less-lethal devices, acknowledging various tools used by officers in the line of duty.

The penalties reflect a serious offense, signaling strong legislative support for officer safety.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with existing Rhode Island statutes on disarming or interference with officers, or outline potential considerations and questions for stakeholders (law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and civil liberties groups).