2024 -- S 2219

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LC004195

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     

     Introduced By: Senators McKenney, Euer, DiMario, Kallman, Bissaillon, and Valverde

     Date Introduced: January 24, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended

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by adding thereto the following section:

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     11-47-65. Multiple firearm purchases prohibited.

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     (a) Except as provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, no person shall purchase

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or take possession of more than one firearm in any thirty (30) day period. For purposes of this

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section, "firearm" means any "pistol", "rifle" or "shotgun" as defined in § 11-47-2.

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     (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to federally licensed

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firearm dealers; governmental entities; any issuance of weapons by a governmental entity to

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officers, agents or personnel of the governmental entity; law enforcement officers exempt pursuant

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to the provisions of §§ 11-47-9 and 11-47-9.1; licensed private security companies for use by

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registered armed security guards; any transfer pursuant to a court order; an estate representative or

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heir in accordance with an authorization issued or ordered by a probate court; a temporary rental

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or use of a firearm at a licensed shooting range or club; a participant in a training, firearm safety or

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shooting course of instruction during the period of instruction; or a transfer of a weapon defined as

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a curio or relic pursuant to 27 C.F.R. § 478.11 to a licensed curio or relic collector.

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     (c) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section upon conviction

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for a first offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment

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of not more than one year or fined five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Any person convicted of a

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second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a felony offense and may be sentenced to a period

 

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of confinement not to exceed three (3) years or fined three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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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 prohibit the purchase of more than one firearm in a thirty (30) day period.

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Exemptions are made for law enforcement, inheritance, participation in courses of instruction,

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temporary rentals at gun ranges and licensed collectors.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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