The bill amends Section 11-47-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons" to broaden the definition of weapons covered by the law from "pistol or revolver" to "firearm," which includes rifles and shotguns. It imposes a seven-day waiting period from the application for purchase before a firearm can be delivered to a purchaser, and the firearm must be unloaded, securely wrapped, and accompanied by a bill of sale upon delivery. The bill also updates the requirements for purchasing a firearm, such as completing a safety course or test and obtaining a safety certificate, known as a "blue card," from the department of environmental management. Background checks are mandated, and sellers must retain a copy of the application form for six years.

Furthermore, the bill removes the requirement for the Department of Environmental Management to establish a basic pistol/revolver safety course and the associated fiscal cap of $35,000 per year for administering the course. Instead, passing the department's basic hunter safety course is considered equivalent to obtaining the firearm safety certificate. The bill also repeals Section 11-47-35.2, which previously governed the sale of rifles and shotguns. Certain individuals, such as full-time members of the state police, city or town police departments, and active military personnel, are exempt from obtaining a firearm safety certificate. The bill includes deletions of the previous application form for purchasing a shotgun or rifle and the procedures for handling the application form by the police. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2218: 11-47-35, 11-47-35.2