2023 -- H 5367
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LC001166
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS
Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Boylan, Tanzi, Carson, Donovan, Caldwell, and
Sanchez
Date Introduced: February 03, 2023
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 11-47-62 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons" 1
is hereby amended to read as follows: 2
11-47-62. Rifle ranges — Immunity from prosecution — Criminal or civil. Gun 3
ranges — Immunity from prosecution — Criminal or civil. 4
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, rule or regulation to the 5
contrary, except as prohibited pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, it shall be lawful for an 6
owner of a rifle, pistol, silhouette, archery, skeet, trap, black powder, or other similar range to 7
operate the range in excess of the applicable noise or noise pollution, law, ordinance or bylaw, 8
provided the owner of the range continues to be in compliance with any applicable noise control 9
law, ordinance or bylaws in existence at the time of the construction of the range. No owner shall 10
be liable in any action for nuisance, and no court shall enjoin the use or operation of the range on 11
the basis of noise or noise pollution, provided the owner continues to be in compliance with any 12
noise control law, ordinance or bylaws in effect at the time of the construction of the range. 13
(b) No standards in rules adopted by any state, city or town agency for limiting levels of 14
noise in terms of decibel level which may occur in the outdoor atmosphere shall apply to the ranges 15
exempted from liability under the provisions of this section. 16
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or permit an owner of a rifle, 17
pistol, silhouette, archery, skeet, trap, black powder, or other similar range to change the use and/or 18
type of the range, or to expand the use and/or type of the range. 19
LC001166 - Page 2 of 3
(d) Effective January 1, 2024, no outdoor gun range shall be used for firing, discharging or 1
shooting firearms within a one mile circumference or closer of any school kindergarten through 2
grade twelve (K-12) and all grounds and sports fields connected thereto. 3
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2024. 4
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LC001166
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LC001166 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES -- WEAPONS
***
This act would prohibit the operation of an outdoor gun range within one mile or closer of 1
any kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) schools. 2
This act would take effect on January 1, 2024. 3
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LC001166
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