2013 -- S 0425

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LC01307

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Senators Metts, and Jabour

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-33 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

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is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     11-47-33. Possession of firearms by minors. -- (a) It shall be unlawful within this state

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for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to possess and use any firearm. unless he or she

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shall hold a permit as provided in section 11-47-34, and unless the person is in the presence of a

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parent or guardian or supervising adult at any regular and recognized camp or rifle range

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approved by the Rhode Island state police or by the chief of police of the city or town in which

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the camp or rifle range is located; provided, that this provision shall not apply to minors engaged

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in lawful hunting activity under the supervision of a parent or guardian or qualified adult, minors

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participating in Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, ceremonial parade activities,

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competitive and target shooting, participants in state militia activities and minors participating in

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a basic firearms education program; provided, further, that a person under eighteen (18) years of

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age may carry a firearm, unloaded, in a suitable case to and from his or her home and the camp or

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range and from the camp or range to other camp or range when accompanied by a parent,

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guardian or supervising adult.

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     (b) This provision shall not apply to such persons that:

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     (1) Are in the presence of a parent or guardian or qualified adult at any regular and

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recognized camp or rifle range;

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     (2) Are engaged in lawful hunting activity as provided in section 20-13.5;

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     (3) Are participating in competitive or target shooting when accompanied by a parent,

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guardian or qualified adult; or

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     (4) Are participating in reserve officer training corps programs, ceremonial parade

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activities, participants in state militia activities or minors participating in a basic firearms

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education program.

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     (c) When accompanied by a parent, guardian or qualified adult, a person under eighteen

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(18) years of age may transport a firearm, unloaded and encased in a hard-sided, locked case to

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and from his or her home and the camp or range and from the camp or range to another camp or

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range; or to and from his or her home when the firearm is being lawfully purchased or being

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repaired.

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      (b)(d) For purposes of this section only, "qualified adult" means any person twenty-one

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(21) years of age or older and permitted by law to possess and use the firearm.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01307

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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 make unlawful the possession of a firearm by a minor. This act would

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further provide for limited exceptions while the minor is in the presence of a qualified adult or

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participating in certain competitive or ceremonial events.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01307

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