2014 -- H 7583

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LC004643

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - SAFE FIREARMS ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph S.Almeida

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 47.1

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SAFE FIREARMS ACT

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     11-47 .1-1. Short title.-- This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as the "Safe

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Firearms Act."

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     11-47.1-2. Definitions. -- When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases are

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construed as follows:

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     (a) "Assault weapon" means and includes:

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     (1) Any selective-fire firearm capable of fully automatic, semiautomatic or burst fire at

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the option of the user or any of the following specified semiautomatic firearms: (i)

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AlgimecAgmi; Armalite AR-180; (ii) Australian Automatic Arms SAP Pistol; (iii) Auto-

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Ordnance Thompson type; (iv) Avtomat Kalashnikov AK-47 type; (v) Barrett Light-Fifty model

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82A1; (vi) Beretta AR-70; Bushmaster Auto Rifle and Auto Pistol; (vii) Calico models M-900,

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M-950 and 100-P; (viii) Chartered Industries of Singapore SR-88; (ix) Colt AR-15 and Sporter;

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(x) Daewoo K-1, K-2, Max-1 and Max-2; (xi) Encom MK-IV, MP-9 and MP-45;

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FabriqueNationale FN/FAL, FN/LAR, or FN/FNC; FAMAS MAS 223; (xii) Feather AT-9 and

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Mini-AT; Federal XC-900 and XC-450; (xiii) Franchi SPAS-12 and LAW -12; (xiv) Galil AR

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and ARM; (xv) Goncz High-Tech Carbine and High-Tech Long Pistol; (xvi) Heckler & Koch

 

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HK-91, HK-93, HK-94 and SP-89; Holmes MP-83; (xvii) MAC-10, MAC-11 and MAC-11

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Carbine type; (xviii) lntratec TEC-9 and Scorpion; (xix) lver Johnson Enforcer model 3000;

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Ruger Mini-14/5F folding stock model only; (xx) Scarab Skorpion; (xxi) SIG 57 AMT and 500

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series; (xxii) Spectre Auto Carbine and Auto Pistol; Springfield Armory BM59, SAR-48 and G-3;

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(xxiii) Sterling MK-6 and MK-7; (xxiv) Steyr AUG; (xxv) Street Sweeper and Striker 12

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revolving cylinder shotguns; (xxvi) USAS-12; UZI Carbine, Mini-Carbine and Pistol; (xxvii)

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Weaver Arms Nighthawk; and (xxviii) Wilkinson "Linda" Pistol;

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     (2) A part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an

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assault weapon, as defined in this section, or any combination of parts from which an assault

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weapon, as defined in this section, may be rapidly assembled if those parts are in the possession

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or under the control of the same person;

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     (3) Any of the following specified semiautomatic centerfire rifles, or copies or duplicates

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thereof with the capability of any such rifles, that were in production prior to or on the effective

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date of this section: (i) AK-47; (ii) AK-74; (iii) AKM; (iv) AKS-74U; (v) ARM; (vi) MAADI

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AK47; (vii) MAK90; (viii) MISR; (ix) NHM90 and NHM9I; (x) Norinco 56, 56S, 84S and 86S;

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(xi) Poly Technologies AKS and AK47; (xii) SA 85; (xiii) SA 93; (xiv) VEPR; (xv) WASR-10;

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(xvi) WUM; (xvii) Rock River Arms LAR-47;(xviii) Vector Arms AK-47; (xix) AR-10; (xx) AR-

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15; (xxi) Bushmaster Carbon 15, Bushmaster XM15, Bushmaster ACR Rifles, Bushmaster MOE

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Rifles; (xxii) Colt Match Target Rifles; (xxiii) Armalite M15; (xxiv) Olympic Arms AR-15, A1,

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CAR, PCR, K3B, K30R, K16, K48, K8 and K9 Rifles; (xxv) DPMS Tactical Rifles; (xxvi) Smith

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and Wesson M&P15 Rifles; (xxvii) Rock River Arms LAR-15; (xxviii) Doublestar AR Rifles;

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(xxix) Barrett REC7; (xxx) Beretta Storm; (xxxi) Calico Liberty 50, 50 Tactical, 100, 100

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Tactical, I, I Tactical, II and II Tactical Rifles; (xxxii) Hi-Point Carbine Rifles; (xxxiii) HK-PSG-

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1; (xxxiv) Kel-Tec Sub-2000, SU Rifles, and RFB; (xxxv) Remington Tactical Rifle Model 7615;

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(xxxvi) SAR-8, SAR-4800 and SR9; (xxxvii) SLG 95; (xxxviii) SLR 95 or 96; (xxxix) TNW

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M230 and M2HB; (xl) Vector Arms UZI; (xli) Galil and Galil Sporter; (xlii) Daewoo AR 100 and

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AR 110C; (xliii) FabriqueNationale/FN 308 Match and L1A1 Sporter; (xliv) HK USC; (xlv)

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IZHMASH Saiga AK; (xlvi) SIG Sauer 55 1-A1, 556, 516, 716 and M400 Rifles; (xlvii) Valmet

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M62S, M71S and M78S; (xlviii) Wilkinson Arms Linda Carbine; and (xlix) Barrett M107A1;

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     (4) Any of the following specified semiautomatic pistols, or copies or duplicates thereof

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with the capability of any such pistols, that were in production prior to or on the effective date of

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this section: (i) Centurion 39 AK; (ii) Draco AK-47; (iii) HCR AK-47; (iv) IO Inc. Hellpup AK-

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47; (v) Mini-Draco AK-47; (vi) Yugo Krebs Krink; (vii) American Spirit AR-15; (viii)

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Bushmaster Carbon 15; (ix) Doublestar Corporation AR; (x) DPMS AR-15; (xi) Olympic Arms

 

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AR-15; (xii) Rock River Arms LAR 15; (xiii) Calico Liberty III and III Tactical Pistols; (xiv)

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Masterpiece Arms MPA Pistols and Velocity Arms VMA Pistols; (xv) Intratec TEC-DC9 and

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AB-10 ; (xvi) Colefire Magnum; (xvii) German Sport 522 PK and Chiappa Firearms Mfour-22;

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(xviii) DSA SA58 PKP FAL; (xix) I.O. Inc. PPS-43C; (xx) Kel-Tec PLR-16 Pistol; (xxi) Sig

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Sauer P516 and P556 Pistols; and (xxii) Thompson TAS Pistols;

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      (5) Any semiautomatic firearm not listed in subsection (a) above shall also be deemed an

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"assault weapon", regardless of the date such firearm was produced, if it meets the following

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criteria:

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     (i) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine

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and has at least one of the following:

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     (A) A folding or telescoping stock;

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     (B) Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other

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stock, the use of which would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on

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the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of

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the weapon when firing;

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     (C) A forward pistol grip;

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     (D) A flash suppressor; or

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     (E) A grenade launcher or flare launcher;

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     (ii) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the ability to accept

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more than ten (10) rounds;

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     (iii) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than thirty (30)

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inches;

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     (6) Any of the following semiautomatic shotguns, or copies or duplicates thereof with the

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capability of any such shotguns, that were in production prior to or on the effective date of this

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section:

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     (i) All IZHMASH Saiga 12 Shotguns;

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     (ii) A semiautomatic shotgun that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine;

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     (iii) A shotgun with a revolving cylinder;

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     (iv) A semiautomatic shotgun that has both of the following:

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     (A) A folding or telescoping stock; and

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     (B) Any grip of the weapon, including a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock, or any other

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stock, the use of which would allow an individual to grip the weapon, resulting in any finger on

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the trigger hand in addition to the trigger finger being directly below any portion of the action of

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the weapon when firing;

 

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     (7) A semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at

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least one of the following:

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     (i) An ability to accept a detachable ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol at

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some location outside of the pistol grip;

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     (ii) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward pistol grip or

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silencer;

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     (iii) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that

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permits the shooter to fire the firearm without being burned, except a slide that encloses the

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barrel;

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     (iv) A manufactured weight of fifty ounces (50 oz.) or more when the pistol is unloaded;

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     (v) A second hand grip;

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     (8) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the ability to accept more than

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ten (10) rounds;

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     (9) Any part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into an

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assault weapon, or any combination of parts from which an assault weapon, may be assembled if

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those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

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     (b) As used in this section, the term "assault weapon" does not include:

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     (1) Any firearm modified to render it permanently inoperable;

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     (2) Any part or any combination of parts of an assault weapon, that are not assembled as

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an assault weapon, when in the possession of a licensed gun dealer or a gunsmith who is in the

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licensed gun dealer's employ, for the purposes of servicing or repairing lawfully possessed assault

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weapons;

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     (c) "Action of the weapon" means the part of the firearm that loads, fires and ejects a

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cartridge, which part includes, but is not limited to, the upper and lower receiver, charging

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handle, forward assist, magazine release and shell deflector.

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     (d) " Department" means the department of public safety.

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     (e) "Detachable magazine" means an ammunition feeding device that can be removed

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without disassembling the firearm action.

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     (f) "Firearm" means a firearm, as defined in § 11-47 -2.

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     (g) "Forward pistol grip" means any feature capable of functioning as a grip that can be

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held by the nontrigger hand.

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     (h) "Lawfully possesses" means, with respect to an assault weapon, actual possession or

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constructive possession pursuant to a lawful purchase transacted prior to the effective date of this

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section, regardless of whether the assault weapon was delivered to the purchaser prior to the

 

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effective date of this section.

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     (i) "Licensed gun dealer", means a person who has a federal firearms license and a permit

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to sell firearms pursuant to this chapter.

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     (j) "Pistol grip" means a grip or similar feature that can function as a grip for the trigger

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hand.

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     (k) "Second hand grip" means a grip or similar feature that can function as a grip that is

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additional to the trigger hand grip.

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     11-47.1-3. Certificate of possession.-- (a) The department shall adopt regulations to

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establish procedures with respect to the application for and issuance of certificates of possession

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provided:

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     (1) The certificate of possession shall contain a description of the firearm that identifies it

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uniquely, including all identification marks, the full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint

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of the owner, and any other information as the department may deem appropriate;

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     (2) The name and address of a person issued a certificate of possession shall be

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confidential and shall not be disclosed, except such records may be disclosed to:

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     (i) Law enforcement agencies and employees of the United States Probation Office acting

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in the performance of their duties; and

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     (ii) The director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities

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and hospitals (BHDDH).

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     (b) Any person who obtains title to an assault weapon for which a certificate of

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possession has been issued under this section by bequest or intestate succession shall, within

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ninety (90) days of obtaining title, apply to the department for a certificate of possession as

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provided in subsection (a) of this section, render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, sell

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the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from the state.

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     (c) Any person who moves into the state in lawful possession of an assault weapon, shall,

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within ninety (90) days, either render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault

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weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from this state, except that any

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person who is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, is in

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lawful possession of an assault weapon and has been transferred into the state, may, within ninety

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(90) days of arriving in the state, apply to the department for a certificate of possession with

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respect to such assault weapon.

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     11-47.1-4. Restrictions on manufacture, sale, purchase, and possession of certain

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assault weapons. -- (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell, purchase or

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possess an assault weapon.

 

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     (b) Any person who, within this state, distributes, transports or imports into the state,

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keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives any assault weapon, except as otherwise

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permitted herein shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be sentenced to a term of

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imprisonment of which two (2) years may not be suspended or reduced by the court.

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     (c) Except as otherwise permitted herein, any person who, within this state, possesses an

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assault weapon shall be guilty of a class D felony and shall be sentenced to a term of

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imprisonment of which one year may not be suspended or reduced by the court, except that a

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first-time violation of this subsection shall be a class A misdemeanor if the person presents proof

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that such person lawfully possessed the assault weapon on the date immediately preceding the

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effective date of this act.

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     (d) Any person who has been issued a certificate of possession for an assault weapon as

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provided for in this chapter, may possess the assault weapon only under the following conditions:

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     (1) At that person's residence, place of business or other property owned by that person,

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or on property owned by another person with the owner's express permission;

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     (2) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club or organization

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organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at targets;

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     (3) While on a target range which holds a regulatory or business license for the purpose

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of practicing shooting at that target range;

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     (4) While on the premises of a licensed shooting club;

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     (5) While attending any exhibition, display or educational project which is about firearms

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and which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement

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agency or a nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education

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about, firearms; or

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     (6) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places set forth in this

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subsection, or to any licensed gun dealer for servicing or repair.

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     (e) While transporting an assault weapon between any of the places set forth in

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subsections (d)(1) – (d)(6), no person shall carry a loaded assault weapon concealed from public

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view or knowingly have, in any motor vehicle owned, operated or occupied by such person:

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     (1) A loaded assault weapon; or

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     (2) An unloaded assault weapon unless such weapon is kept in the trunk of such vehicle

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or in a case or other container which is inaccessible to the operator of such vehicle or any

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passenger in such vehicle.

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     (f) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (e), shall be fined not more than

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five hundred dollars ($500) or imprisoned not more than three (3) years, or both.

 

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     11-47.1-5. Licensed gun dealers-Certificate of transfer. -- (a) If an owner of an assault

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weapon sells or transfers the assault weapon to a licensed gun dealer, such dealer shall, at the

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time of delivery of the assault weapon, execute a certificate of transfer and cause the certificate of

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transfer to be mailed or delivered to the department.

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     (b) The certificate of transfer shall contain:

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     (1) The date of sale or transfer;

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     (2) The name and address of the seller or transferor and the licensed gun dealer, their

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Social Security numbers or motor vehicle operator license numbers, if applicable;

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     (3) The licensed gun dealer's federal firearms license number and seller's permit number;

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     (4) A description of the assault weapon, including the caliber of the assault weapon and

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its make, model and serial number; and

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     (5) Any other information the commissioner prescribes. The licensed gun dealer shall

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present such dealer's motor vehicle operator's license or Social Security card, federal firearms

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license and seller's permit to the seller or transferor for inspection at the time of purchase or

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transfer. The department of public safety shall maintain a file of all certificate of transfers at the

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commissioner's central office.

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     (c) Any licensed gun dealer may lawfully transport the assault weapon between dealers or

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out of the state, display the assault weapon at any gun show licensed by a state or local

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governmental entity or sell the assault weapon to a resident outside the state. Any transporting of

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the assault weapon allowed by this subsection must be done as required by § 11-47.1-4 (e).

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     (d) Any licensed gun dealer may take possession of any assault weapon for the purposes

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of servicing or repair from any person to whom has been issued a certificate of possession for

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such weapon pursuant this chapter.

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     (e) Any licensed gun dealer may transfer possession of any assault weapon received

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pursuant to subsection (a) to a gunsmith for purposes of accomplishing service or repair of the

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same. Such transfers are permissible only to the following persons:

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     (1) A gunsmith who is in the licensed gun dealer's employ; or

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     (2) A gunsmith with whom the dealer has contracted for gunsmithing services, provided

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the gunsmith receiving the assault weapon holds a dealer's license issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C.

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921 and the regulations issued pursuant thereto.

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     11-47.1-6. Exceptions. -- (a) The provisions this chapter shall not apply to:

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     (1) The possession of assault weapons by members or employees of the department of

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public safety police departments, the department of correction, the military or naval forces of this

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state or of the United States, any employee of the Rhode Island nuclear·service center operating a

 

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nuclear power generating facility in this state for the purpose of providing security services at

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such facility, or any person, firm, corporation, contractor or subcontractor providing security

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services at such facility for use in the discharge of their official duties, or shall any provision

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herein prohibit the possession or use of assault weapons by sworn members of these agencies

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when on duty and when the possession or use is within the scope of such member's duties;

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     (2) The sale of assault weapons to the emergency management agency, department of

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public safety police departments, the department of correction or the military or naval forces of

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this state or of the United States, for use in the discharge of their official duties or when off duty;

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     (3) Any employee of the Rhode Island nuclear service center licensee operating a nuclear

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power generating facility in this state for the purpose of providing security services at such

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facility, or any person, firm, corporation, contractor or subcontractor providing security services

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at such facility for use in the discharge of their official duties;

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     (4) A person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that includes an assault

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weapon for which a certificate of possession has been issued and authorized by the Probate Court;

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     (5) The transfer by bequest or intestate succession of an assault weapon for which a

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certificate of possession has been issued.

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     (b) Nothing in this chapter, shall be construed to prohibit any person, firm or corporation

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engaged in the business of manufacturing assault weapons in this state from manufacturing or

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transporting assault weapons in this state for sale within this state in accordance with this chapter

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for sale outside this state.

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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 - SAFE FIREARMS ACT

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     This act would establish the Safe Firearms Act. The act would define an assault weapon,

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as would also restrict the manufacture, sale, possession and transfer of certain assault weapons.

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This act would provide exceptions for certain police, corrections, military and other specified

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organizations and individuals.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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