2023 -- H 5893

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LC000854

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Tanzi, Knight, Ajello, Stewart, Potter, Kislak,
Kazarian, Batista, and Dawson

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following section:

     11-47-65. Multiple firearm purchases prohibited.

     (a) Except as provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, no person shall purchase

or take possession of more than one firearm in any thirty (30) day period. For purposes of this

section, "firearm" means any "pistol", "rifle" or "shotgun" as defined in § 11-47-2.

     (b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to federally licensed

firearm dealers; governmental entities; any issuance of weapons by a governmental entity to

officers, agents or personnel of the governmental entity; law enforcement officers exempt pursuant

to the provisions of §§ 11-47-9 and 11-47-9.1; licensed private security companies for use by

registered armed security guards; any transfer pursuant to a court order; an estate representative or

heir in accordance with an authorization issued or ordered by a probate court; a temporary rental

or use of a firearm at a licensed shooting range or club; a participant in a training, firearm safety or

shooting course of instruction during the period of instruction; or a transfer of a weapon defined as

a curio or relic pursuant to 27 C.F.R. § 478.11 to a licensed curio or relic collector.

     (c) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section upon conviction

for a first offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment

of not more than one year or fined five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Any person convicted of a

second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a felony offense and may be sentenced to a period

of confinement not to exceed three (3) years or fined three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both.

     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 -- WEAPONS

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     This act would prohibit the purchase of more than one firearm in a thirty (30) day period.

Exemptions are made for law enforcement, inheritance, participation in courses of instruction,

temporary rentals at gun ranges and licensed collectors.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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