Rhode Island HB 7263: AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Bans possession, sale and transfer of assault weapons which are not properly registered.)

Bill Text

2020 -- H 7263
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LC003539
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS
Introduced By: Representatives Caldwell, Knight, McEntee, Williams, and Craven
Date Introduced: January 23, 2020
Referred To: House Judiciary

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 11 of the General Laws entitled "CRIMINAL OFFENSES" is hereby 1
amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2
CHAPTER 47.1 3
ASSAULT WEAPONS 4
11-47.1-1. Short title. 5
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Rhode Island Assault Weapons Ban 6
Act." 7
11-47.1-2. Definitions. 8
As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following 9
meanings: 10
(1) "Ammunition feeding device" means any magazine, box, belt, drum, feed strip, or 11
similar device that holds ammunition for a firearm. As used in this chapter, the term shall include, 12
an ammunition feeding device with a removable floor plate or end plate, if the device can readily 13
be extended to accept more than ten rounds of ammunition. The term shall not include an 14
attached tubular device which is capable of holding only .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. 15
(2) "Assault weapon" means: 16
(i) A semi-automatic shotgun with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding six (6) rounds, or 17
that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and a pistol grip, or a folding or telescopic 18
stock. 19

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(ii) A semi-automatic rifle with a fixed magazine capacity exceeding ten (10) rounds or 1
with the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least one of the following features: 2
(A) A folding or telescoping stock; 3
(B) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon; 4
(C) A bayonet mount; 5
(D) A flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; or 6
(E) A grenade launcher. "Assault weapon" shall not include a semi-automatic rifle which 7
has an attached tubular device and which is capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire 8
ammunition. 9
(iii) A semi-automatic pistol that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has 10
at least one of the following features: 11
(A) An ammunition magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip; 12
(B) A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward 13
handgrip, or silencer; 14
(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that 15
permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the non-trigger hand without being burned; or 16
(D) Manufactured weight of fifty ounces (50oz) or more when the pistol is unloaded. 17
(3) "Detachable magazine" means an ammunition feeding device that attaches to a 18
firearm and which can be removed without disassembly of the firearm. 19
(4) "Federally licensed firearm dealer" means a person who holds a valid federal firearm 20
dealers license issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 923(a). 21
(5) "Federally licensed gunsmith" means a person who holds a valid federal firearm 22
gunsmiths license issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 923(a). 23
(6) "Fixed magazine" means an ammunition feeding device that is permanently fixed to 24
the firearm in such a manner that it cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm. 25
(7) "Folding, telescoping, or detachable stock" means a stock that folds, telescopes, 26
detaches or otherwise operates to reduce the length, size, or any other dimension, or otherwise 27
enhances the concealability, of a firearm. 28
(8) "Forward grip" means a grip or handle located forward of the trigger. 29
(9) "Grandfathered assault weapon" means any assault weapon for which a certificate of 30
possession has been issued pursuant to § 11-47.1-4. 31
(10) "Grenade launcher" means a device designed to fire, launch or propel a grenade. 32
(11) "Pistol grip" means a well-defined handle, similar to that found on a handgun, that 33
protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon, and which permits the weapon to be 34

LC003539 - Page 3 of 8
held and fired with one hand. 1
(12) "Secure storage" means a firearm that is stored in a locked container or equipped 2
with a tamper–resistant mechanical lock or other safety device, properly engaged so as to render 3
such weapon inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully authorized user. 4
(13) "Semi-automatic" means a firearm which fires a single projectile for each single pull 5
of the trigger and is self-reloading or automatically chambers a round, cartridge, or bullet. 6
(14) "Threaded barrel" means threads on the muzzle end of a barrel and shall include, but 7
not be limited to, any barrel on which a flash suppressor, muzzle brake or silencer has been 8
attached. 9
11-47.1-3. Restrictions on manufacture, sale, purchase and possession of assault 10
weapons. 11
(a) No person shall manufacture, sell, offer