§ 12-1-10.2. Firearm’s examination.
(a) In the case of every offense in which a crime gun, as defined in § 11-47-2, is seized:
(1) The arresting/investigating police department shall submit the firearm or at least two (2) test-fired cartridge cases to the state crime laboratory, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) or any qualified law enforcement agency with personnel certified in forensic ballistics examinations for testing and entry of test-fired casings(s) into the national integrated ballistic information network (NIBIN). Alternatively, the two (2) test-fired cartridge casings may be entered into the NIBIN system available at the attorney general’s office; and
(2) The arresting/investigating police department shall submit any information relative to said firearm including, but not limited to, its make, model, and serial number to the BATF for tracing.
(b) Whenever a law enforcement agency recovers any spent cartridge case(s) or shell casing(s) at a crime scene or has reason to believe that the recovered spent cartridge case(s) or shell casing(s) are related to or associated with the commission of a crime, the arresting/investigating law enforcement agency shall, as soon as practicable, submit the ballistics information to the NIBIN.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, if a person is arrested for any offense and the investigating law enforcement agency seizes any firearm from that person, that is not a “crime gun” as defined in § 11-47-2 then no ballistic testing pursuant to this section shall occur.
History of Section.
P.L. 2025, ch. 428, § 2, effective July 2, 2025.