The bill amends Section 11-47-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47, "Weapons," to broaden the definition of "pistol or revolver" to "firearm," which now includes rifles and shotguns. It stipulates a seven-day waiting period from the application for purchase before delivering a firearm to a purchaser, who must not be prohibited by law from owning a firearm. The bill also updates the application process, requiring a firearm safety certificate or a hunter safety course certificate, and mandates a background check by the police authority. Additionally, it removes the requirement for the Department of Environmental Management to establish a basic pistol/revolver safety course and eliminates the fiscal cap for administering the safety course.

The bill further revises the firearm safety certificate process, replacing "pistol/revolver" with "firearm" for the safety certificate, now referred to as a "blue card." It requires applicants to pass an objective test or complete a hunter safety course, with the test and manual to be reviewed biennially. Certain professionals, such as police officers and active military personnel, are exempt from obtaining the blue card. The bill repeals Section 11-47-35.2, which previously regulated the sale of rifles and shotguns, and removes detailed personal information requirements from the application form. It also introduces a universal firearm safety test requirement for all firearm purchasers and repeals the option of taking a pistol/revolver safety course. The act would take effect upon passage.

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