The bill presented amends the current law regarding the sale, manufacture, and possession of firearm silencers. It acknowledges that firearm silencers are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968, which require a federal firearms license, a special occupational taxpayer status, a $200 tax, and a thorough background check for transactions involving silencers. The bill also notes that while silencers are rarely used in crimes, they have benefits such as protecting the hearing of shooters and reducing noise pollution near shooting ranges.

The specific legal changes proposed in the bill include an amendment to Section 11-47-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons." The amendment involves the insertion of new language that aligns state law with federal regulations, specifying that the sale, purchase, or possession of silencers is unlawful unless the person complies with the provisions of the NFA and the GCA. The bill removes the phrase "when discharged" and replaces it with a reference to the federal definition of a silencer. Additionally, it states that violations of this section will result in imprisonment for not less than one year and one day. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2216: 11-47-20