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:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-33 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-33. Possession of firearms by minors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

when accompanied by a parent, guardian or supervising adult.

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

years of age or older and permitted by law to possess and use the firearm.

     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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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