AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Prohibits purchases of more than one firearm in any thirty (30) day period.)

H7035

2026 -- H 7035
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LC003615
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS

Introduced By:
Representatives Boylan, Caldwell, Tanzi, Ajello, Knight, Batista,
Dawson, Kazarian, Felix, and McEntee

Date Introduced:
January 09, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 11-47 of the General Laws entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended
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by adding thereto the following section:
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11-47-65. Multiple firearm purchases prohibited.

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(a) Except as provided pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, no person shall purchase
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or take possession of more than one firearm in any thirty (30) day period. For purposes of this
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section, "firearm" means any "pistol", "rifle" or "shotgun" as defined in § 11-47-2.
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(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to federally licensed
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firearm dealers; governmental entities; any issuance of weapons by a governmental entity to
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officers, agents or personnel of the governmental entity; law enforcement officers exempt pursuant
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to the provisions of §§ 11-47-9 and 11-47-9.1; licensed private security companies for use by
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registered armed security guards; any transfer pursuant to a court order; an estate representative or
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heir in accordance with an authorization issued or ordered by a probate court; a temporary rental
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or use of a firearm at a licensed shooting range or club; a participant in a training, firearm safety or
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shooting course of instruction during the period of instruction; or a transfer of a weapon defined as
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a curio or relic pursuant to 27 C.F.R. § 478.11 to a licensed curio or relic collector.
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(c) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section upon conviction
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for a first offense shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment
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of not more than one year or fined five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Any person convicted of a
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second or subsequent offense shall be guilty of a felony offense and may be sentenced to a period

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of confinement not to exceed three (3) years or fined three thousand dollars ($3,000), or both.
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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.
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Exemptions are made for law enforcement, inheritance, participation in courses of instruction,
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temporary rentals at gun ranges and licensed collectors.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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