2012 -- H 8124

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LC02563

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Ehrhardt, O`Neill, Blazejewski, and Watson

     Date Introduced: May 03, 2012

     Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-42 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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     11-47-42. Weapons other than firearms prohibited. -- (a) (1) No person shall carry or

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possess or attempt to use against another any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known

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as a blackjack, slingshot, billy, sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stun-

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gun, or the so called "Kung-Fu" weapons, nor shall any person, with intent to use unlawfully

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against another, carry or possess a crossbow, dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, or

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other similar weapon designed to cut and stab another, nor shall any person wear or carry

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concealed upon his person, any of the above-mentioned instruments or weapons, or any razor, or

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knife of any description having a blade of more than three (3) inches in length measuring from

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the end of the handle where the blade is attached to the end of the blade, or other weapon of like

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kind or description. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a

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fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than one

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year, or both, and the weapon so found shall be confiscated.

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      (2) Any person violating the provisions of this subsection while he or she is incarcerated

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within the confines of the adult correctional institutions shall be punished by a fine of not less

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than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000), or by

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imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five (5) years, or both, and the weapon so

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found shall be confiscated.

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      (b) No person shall sell to a person under eighteen (18) years of age, without the written

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authorization of the minor's parent or legal guardian, any stink bomb, blackjack, slingshot, bill,

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sandclub, sandbag, metal knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stungun, paint ball gun, so called

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"kung-fu" weapons, dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, razor, or knife of any

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description having a blade of more than three inches (3") in length as described in subsection (a)

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of this section, or any multi-pronged star with sharpened edges designed to be used as a weapon

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and commonly known as a Chinese throwing star, except that an individual who is actually

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engaged in the instruction of martial arts and licensed under section 5-43-1 may carry and possess

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any multi-pronged star with sharpened edges for the sole purpose of instructional use. Any person

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violating the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine of not less than one

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thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000), or by imprisonment for

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not less than one year nor more than five (5) years, or both, and the weapons so found shall be

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confiscated.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02563

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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 include crossbows as a weapon prohibited under the provisions of the

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general laws which prohibit the possession of certain weapons.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC02563

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