2020 -- S 2261 | |
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LC003950 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS | |
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Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Quezada, Coyne, Goldin, and Crowley | |
Date Introduced: February 04, 2020 | |
Referred To: Senate Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Sections 11-47-35 and 11-47-35.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 |
2 | entitled "Weapons" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 11-47-35. Sale of concealable weapons -- Safety courses and tests -- Review board -- |
4 | Issuance of permits to certain government officers. |
5 | (a)(1) No person shall deliver a pistol or revolver to a purchaser until seven (7) days shall |
6 | have elapsed from twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day following the day of application for the |
7 | purchase, and when delivered, the pistol or revolver shall be unloaded and securely wrapped, with |
8 | the bill of sale to be enclosed within the wrapper with the pistol or revolver. Any citizen of the |
9 | United States and/or lawful resident of this state who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, and |
10 | any nonresident member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in this state |
11 | and who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, may upon application purchase or acquire a |
12 | pistol or revolver. At the time of applying for the purchase of a concealable firearm, the purchaser |
13 | shall: (i) complete and sign in triplicate and deliver to the person selling the pistol or revolver the |
14 | application form described in this section, and in no case shall it contain the serial number of the |
15 | pistol or revolver; and (ii) shall present to the person selling the pistol or revolver a |
16 | pistol/revolver safety certificate issued by the department of environmental management. The |
17 | certificate shall be retained in the possession of the buyer. The pistol/revolver safety certificate |
18 | shall certify that the purchaser has completed a basic pistol/revolver safety course as shall be |
19 | administered by the department of environmental management. |
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1 | (Face of application form) |
2 | Application to Purchase Pistol or Revolver |
3 | Date ………………………………………… Hour ………………………………… A.M. P.M. |
4 | Name |
5 | Address |
6 | (Street and number) (City or town) (State) |
7 | Date of Birth Place of Birth |
8 | Height Weight Color hair |
9 | Color eyes |
10 | Scars |
11 | Tattoos |
12 | Other identifying marks |
13 | Are you a citizen of the United States |
14 | Are you a citizen of Rhode Island |
15 | How long |
16 | Where stationed |
17 | (Armed Forces only) |
18 | Have you ever been convicted of a crime of violence |
19 | (See § 11-47-2) |
20 | Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement as addicted to a controlled substance |
21 |
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22 | Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement for alcoholism |
23 |
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24 | Have you ever been confined or treated for mental illness |
25 | From whom is pistol or revolver being purchased |
26 | Seller's address |
27 | Seller's signature |
28 | Applicant's signature |
29 | (See § 11-47-23 for penalty for false information on this application) |
30 | (Reverse side of application form) |
31 | AFFIDAVIT: I certify that I have read and am familiar with the provisions of §§ 11-47-1 |
32 | -- 11-47-55, inclusive, of the general laws of the State of Rhode Island and Providence |
33 | Plantations, and that I am aware of the penalties for violation of the provisions of the cited |
34 | sections. I further certify that I have completed the required basic pistol/revolver safety course. |
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1 | Signed |
2 | (over) |
3 | County of |
4 | State of Rhode Island |
5 | Subscribed and sworn before me this ……… day of………. A.D. 20.. |
6 | Notary Public |
7 | ...................................... |
8 | (2) The person selling the pistol or revolver shall on the date of application sign and |
9 | forward by registered mail, or by delivery in person, or by electronic mail if approved by the |
10 | applicable police department, the original and duplicate copies of the application to the |
11 | superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which |
12 | the person purchaser has his or her residence or to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state |
13 | police in the instance where the purchaser resides in the town of Exeter or place of business. The |
14 | superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which |
15 | the person purchaser has his or her residence or place of business shall mark or stamp the original |
16 | copy of the application form with the date and the time of receipt and return it by the most |
17 | expeditious means to the person who is selling the pistol or revolver. The triplicate copy duly |
18 | signed by the person who is selling the pistol or revolver shall within seven (7) days be sent by |
19 | him or her by registered mail, by delivery in person, or by electronic mail to the attorney general. |
20 | The person who is selling the pistol or revolver shall retain the original copy duly receipted by the |
21 | police authority to whom sent or delivered for a period of six (6) years with other records of the |
22 | sale. It shall be the duty of the police authority to whom the duplicate copy of the application |
23 | form is sent or delivered to make a background check of the applicant to ascertain whether he or |
24 | she falls under the provisions of § 11-47-5, 11-47-6, 11-47-7, or 11-47-23. If, after the lapse of |
25 | seven (7) days from twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day following application, no |
26 | disqualifying information has been received from the investigating police authority by the person |
27 | who is selling the pistol or revolver, he or she will deliver the firearm applied for to the applicant |
28 | purchaser. Upon the finding of no disqualifying information under the provisions of the above |
29 | cited sections of this chapter, and in no case later than thirty (30) days after the date of |
30 | application, the duplicate and triplicate copies of the application will be destroyed. Retention of |
31 | the duplicate and triplicate copies in violation of this section or any unauthorized use of the |
32 | information contained in the copies by a person or agency shall be punishable by a fine of not |
33 | more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). The provisions of this section shall not apply to bona |
34 | fide sales at wholesale to duly licensed retail dealers, nor to purchases by retail dealers duly |
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1 | licensed under the provisions of § 11-47-39. |
2 | (b)(1) The department of environmental management shall establish the basic |
3 | pistol/revolver safety course required by this section. The safety course shall consist of not less |
4 | than two (2) hours of instruction in the safe use and handling of pistols and revolvers and the |
5 | course shall be available to buyers continually throughout the year at convenient times and places |
6 | but at least monthly at locations throughout the state, or more frequently as required. Proficiency |
7 | in the use of pistols or revolvers shall not be prerequisite to the issuance of the safety certificate. |
8 | No person shall be required to complete the course more than once; provided, that any person |
9 | completing the course who is unable to produce the safety certificate issued by the department of |
10 | environmental management shall be required to take the course again unless the person provides |
11 | evidence to the department that he or she has successfully completed the course. |
12 | (2) The administration of the basic pistol/revolver safety course required by this section |
13 | shall not exceed the cost of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) in any fiscal year. |
14 | (c) Proof of passage of the department of environmental management's basic hunter |
15 | safety course will be equivalent to the pistol/revolver safety certificate mandated by this section. |
16 | (d) Any person who has reason to believe that he or she does not need the required |
17 | handgun safety course may apply by any written means to the department of environmental |
18 | management to take an objective test on the subject of matter of the handgun safety course. The |
19 | test shall be prepared, as well as an instruction manual upon which the test shall be based, by the |
20 | department. The manual shall be made available by any means to the applicant who may, within |
21 | the time limits for application, take the objective test at the department or at any location where |
22 | the handgun safety course is being given. Any person receiving a passing grade on the test shall |
23 | be issued a pistol/revolver safety certificate by the department. |
24 | (e) [Deleted by P.L. 2005, ch. 20, § 11 and P.L. 2005, ch. 27, § 11]. |
25 | (f) The following persons shall be issued basic pistol/revolver permits by the department |
26 | of environmental management: sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, the superintendent and members of the |
27 | state police, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, members of the city or town police force, |
28 | members of the park police, conservation officers, members of the airport police and officers of |
29 | the United States government authorized by law to carry a concealed firearm and, at the |
30 | discretion of the department of environmental management, any person who can satisfactorily |
31 | establish that he or she formerly held one of these offices or were so authorized. |
32 | (g) Any person who is serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast |
33 | Guard on active duty shall not be required to obtain a basic pistol/revolver safety certificate or |
34 | basic pistol/revolver permit under this section so long as he or she remains on active duty. |
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1 | (h) Any person who is serving in the active reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air |
2 | Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, or any person in an active duty paid status in the Rhode |
3 | Island National Guard, shall not be required to obtain a basic pistol/revolver safety certificate |
4 | under this section so long as he or she remains in active status. |
5 | 11-47-35.2. Sale of rifles/shotguns. |
6 | (a) No person shall deliver a rifle or shotgun to a purchaser until seven (7) days shall |
7 | have elapsed from twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day following the day of application for the |
8 | purchase, and when delivered, the rifle or shotgun shall be unloaded and securely wrapped, with |
9 | the bill of sale for it to be enclosed within the wrapper with the rifle or shotgun. Any citizen of |
10 | the United States and/or lawful resident of this state who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, |
11 | and any non-resident member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in this |
12 | state and who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, may, upon application, purchase or acquire a |
13 | rifle or shotgun. At the time of applying for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle the purchaser shall |
14 | complete and sign in triplicate and deliver to the seller the application form described in this |
15 | section, and in no case shall it contain the serial number of the rifle or shotgun. |
16 | (Face of application form) |
17 | Application to Purchase Shotgun or Rifle |
18 | Date ………………………………………… Hour ………………………………… A.M. P.M. |
19 | Name |
20 | Address |
21 | (Street and number) (City or town) (State) |
22 | Date of Birth Place of Birth |
23 | Height Weight Color hair |
24 | Color eyes |
25 | Scars |
26 | Tattoos |
27 | Other identifying marks |
28 | Are you a citizen of the United States |
29 | Are you a citizen of Rhode Island |
30 | How long |
31 | Where stationed |
32 | (Armed Forces only) |
33 | Have you ever been convicted of a crime of violence |
34 | (See § 11-47-2 General Laws of Rhode Island) |
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1 | Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement as addicted to a controlled substance |
2 |
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3 | Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement for alcoholism |
4 |
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5 | Have you ever been confined or treated for mental illness |
6 | From whom is shotgun or rifle being purchased |
7 | Seller's address |
8 | Seller's signature |
9 | Applicant's signature |
10 | (See § 11-47-23 for penalty for false information on this application) |
11 | (Reverse side of application form) |
12 | AFFIDAVIT: I certify that I have read and am familiar with the provisions of §§ 11-47-1 |
13 | -- 11-47-59, inclusive, of the general laws of the State of Rhode Island and Providence |
14 | Plantations, and that I am aware of the penalties for violation of the provisions of the cited |
15 | sections. |
16 | Signed |
17 | County of |
18 | State of Rhode Island |
19 | Subscribed and sworn before me this ……… day of………. A.D. 20.. |
20 | Notary Public |
21 | ...................................... |
22 | (b) The person who is selling the rifle or shotgun shall, on the date of application, sign |
23 | and forward by registered mail, or by delivery in person, or by electronic mail if approved by the |
24 | applicable police department, the original and duplicate copies of the application to the |
25 | superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which |
26 | the seller purchaser has his or her residence or to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state |
27 | police in the instance where the purchaser resides in the town of Exeter or place of business. The |
28 | superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which |
29 | the person purchaser has his or her residence or place of business shall mark or stamp the original |
30 | copy of the application form with the date and time of receipt and return it by the most |
31 | expeditious means to the seller. The triplicate copy duly signed by the seller shall within seven |
32 | (7) days be sent by him or her by registered mail, by delivery in person, or by electronic mail, to |
33 | the attorney general. The person who is selling the rifle or shotgun shall retain the original copy |
34 | duly receipted by the police authority to whom sent or delivered for a period of six (6) years with |
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1 | other records of the sale. It shall be the duty of the police authority to whom the duplicate copy of |
2 | the application form is sent or delivered to make a background check of the applicant to ascertain |
3 | whether he or she falls under the provisions of § 11-47-5, 11-47-6, 11-47-7, or 11-47-23. If, after |
4 | the lapse of seven (7) days from twelve o'clock (12:00) noon of the day following application, no |
5 | disqualifying information has been received from the investigating police authority by the person |
6 | who is selling the rifle or shotgun, he or she will deliver the firearm applied for to the applicant |
7 | purchaser. Upon the finding of no disqualifying information under the provisions of the above |
8 | cited sections of this chapter, and in no case later than thirty (30) days after the date of |
9 | application, the duplicate and triplicate copies of the application will be destroyed. Retention of |
10 | the duplicate and triplicate copies in violation of this chapter or any unauthorized use of the |
11 | information contained in them by a person or agency shall be punishable by a fine of not more |
12 | than one thousand dollars ($1,000). The provisions of this section shall not apply to bona fide |
13 | sales at wholesale to duly licensed retail dealers, nor to purchases by retail dealers duly licensed |
14 | under the provisions of § 11-47-39. |
15 | (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to full-time members of the state police, |
16 | full-time members of city or town police departments, persons licensed under §§ 11-47-9 and 11- |
17 | 47-11, or to sales of air rifles or " BB guns" or to sales of antique firearms as defined in § 11-47- |
18 | 2. |
19 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC003950 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES - WEAPONS | |
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1 | This act would provide that applications to purchase certain firearms be sent by the seller |
2 | of the firearm to the police department of the city or town in which the purchaser of the firearms |
3 | has his or her residence and would provide for the use of electronic mail in the forwarding of the |
4 | application. |
5 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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LC003950 | |
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