AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS (Prohibits the sale or transfer of ammunition unless the purchaser successfully undergoes a background check.)

H8071

2026 -- H 8071
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LC005712
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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 Caldwell, Potter, Boylan, Knight, Carson, McEntee,
McGaw, Voas, Casimiro, and Furtado

Date Introduced:
February 27, 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. Background check for ammunition purchase or transfer.

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(a) Except for sales or transfers to active law enforcement officers, no person shall sell,
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transfer or deliver any ammunition, shotgun shells, gun powder, primer, bullets or ammunition
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loading components to any person unless the seller or transferor first submits to and receives from
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the state police, a municipal law enforcement agency or the National Instant Criminal Background
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Check System, a completed background check for the purchaser or transferee.
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(b) No ammunition shall be sold or transferred to any person prohibited by law from
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possession of a firearm or ammunition to include, but not be limited to, the provisions of §§ 11-47-
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5, 11-47-6, 11-47-7, 11-47-23, 11-47-30 or 11-47-31.
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(c) No person shall possess ammunition who is prohibited by law from possessing a
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firearm. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment
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for up to one year or fined up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.
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(d) Upon receipt of a background check documenting no disqualifying information, the
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seller or transferor may sell or transfer the ammunition or ammunition components to the purchaser
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or transferee.
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(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to bona fide sales at wholesale to licensed
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retail dealers.

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(f) Any seller or transferee violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a
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fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) per violation.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005712
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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 sale or transfer of ammunition unless the purchaser successfully
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undergoes a background check.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005712
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