2022 -- S 2629

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LC005201

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Senator John P. Burke

     Date Introduced: March 10, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-17.1. Mandatory or discretionary nature of § 11-47-15.1 requirements --

Qualification reports to be filed.

     (a) All law enforcement officers of this state and its political subdivisions, whose

permanent appointment shall take place later than June 6, 1970, shall be required to qualify with

the pistol or revolver with which they are armed prior to their permanent appointment, that

qualification to be as required in §§ 11-47-15.1 and 11-47-15.3. All permanent appointed law

enforcement officers of this state and its political subdivisions who are required to qualify under §

11-47-17 may, at the discretion of the officer, qualify under either § 11-47-15, 11-47-15.1 or 11-

47-15.3. The failure of any law enforcement officer to qualify under the provisions of this section

revokes his or her privilege of carrying a pistol or revolver, whether concealed or not, on or about

his or her person. Qualification under this section will be required at periods of not more than one

year, two (2) times per year at intervals of at least four (4) months, except for correctional officers

who must repeat this qualification every two (2) years one time per year. Provided further, effective

January 1, 2023, the qualification requirements pursuant to this section shall include a nighttime,

low light/no light qualification component which shall simulate dusk to dawn lighting conditions,

which conditions may be artificially produced indoors.

     (b) Copies of all of the qualification reports shall be filed with the office of the attorney

general.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

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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 mandate that police officers qualify in the use of firearms in both daylight

and nighttime conditions two (2) times per year and that correctional officers qualify every year

instead of once every two (2) years.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2022.

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