2019 -- H 5974

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LC002378

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Canario, Noret, Johnston, Filippi, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2019

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-20. Sale or possession of silencers.

     It shall be unlawful within this state to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess any

muffler, silencer, or device for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm when discharged;

provided however, that this section shall not apply to law enforcement officers utilizing said

devices while acting within the scope of their official duties or while training as tactical teams

and under the direct supervision of the police chief of his or her department or the colonel of the

state police or their designee. Violations of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not

less than one year and one day.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002378

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS

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     This act would allow law enforcement officers to utilize mufflers, silencers, or other

devices for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm while acting within the scope of their

official duties or while training as tactical teams and under the supervision of the police chief of

his or her department or the colonel of the state police or their designee.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002378

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