The bill amends Section 11-47-20 of the General Laws regarding the sale or possession of silencers, making it unlawful to possess and/or use a firearm with an overall length of less than seventeen inches (17) that has a silencer or muffler attached. Violations of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one year.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section, 20-13-19, to the Hunting and Hunting Safety laws, allowing any individual in lawful possession of a device that will silence, suppress, or muffle the sound of a rifle or shotgun to use such a device while hunting, provided they have a valid hunting license and the firearm is permitted. The bill also prohibits any city, town, committee, board, or other state or local agency from enacting rules, regulations, or ordinances that mandate the use of such devices for hunting. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2306: 11-47-20