The bill amends Section 11-47-5 of the General Laws concerning the possession of firearms by certain individuals. It explicitly prohibits individuals who have entered a plea of nolo contendere to or have been convicted of a felony from purchasing or possessing firearms. The bill clarifies the penalties for violations of these provisions, establishing that individuals violating the prohibition against firearm possession due to felony convictions shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years.

Additionally, the bill specifies that every person violating the provisions of the section, with the exception of those violating the new felony provision, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two years but not more than ten years, with the court unable to suspend the first two years of the sentence. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8067: 11-47-5