2017 -- H 5547

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LC000143

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY MINORS

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Williams, Diaz, Perez, and Handy

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: House 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.

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     (a) It shall be unlawful within this state for any person under eighteen (18) years of age to

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possess and use any firearm unless he or she shall hold a permit as provided in ยง 11-47-34, and

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unless the person is in the presence of a parent or guardian or supervising adult at any regular and

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recognized camp or rifle range approved by the Rhode Island state police or by the chief of police

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of the city or town in which the camp or rifle range is located; provided, that this provision shall

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not apply to minors engaged in lawful hunting activity under the supervision of a parent or

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guardian or qualified adult, minors participating in Reserve Officer Training Corps programs,

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ceremonial parade activities, competitive and target shooting, participants in state militia

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activities and minors participating in a basic firearms education program; provided, further, that a

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person under eighteen (18) years of age may carry a firearm, unloaded, in a suitable case to and

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

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when accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervising adult.

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      (b) For purposes of this section only, "qualified adult" means any person twenty-one (21)

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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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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- POSSESSION OF FIREARMS BY MINORS

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     This act would require all minors in possession of a firearm, with or without a permit, be

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in the presence of a parent or guardian or supervising adult at all times.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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