2023 -- H 6237

========

LC002730

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, Cardillo, Noret, Finkelman, and Azzinaro

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 11-47-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons"

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     11-47-20. Sale or possession of silencers.

     It shall be unlawful within this state to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess any muffler,

silencer, or device for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm when discharged; provided,

however, that this section shall not apply to sworn members of any municipal police department

utilizing such devices while acting within the scope of their official duties and training as part of

its tactical team and under the direct supervision of the chief of the respective municipal police

department, or designee. Violations of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less

than one year and one day.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC002730

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

***

     This act would allow sworn members of municipal police department to utilize mufflers,

silencers, or other devices for deadening or muffling the sound of a firearm while acting within the

scope of their official duties while training its tactical team and under the direct supervision of the

chief of the respective municipal police department, or designee.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC002730

========

LC002730 - Page 2 of 2