Opinion ID: 2094981
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Firearms Act

Text: When passing upon the constitutionality of enactments of the General Assembly, in light of the broad plenary power of the General Assembly, this [C]ourt's evaluation of legislative enactments has been extremely deferential;    we have interfered with such enactments only when the legislation at issue could palpably and unmistakably be characterized as an excess of legislative power. Sundlun, 662 A.2d at 44-45. In interpreting the scope of a grant of power made by the General Assembly, we carefully consider the legislation in its entirety along with the circumstances that motivated its passage. Pontbriand v. Sundlun, 699 A.2d 856, 866 (R.I.1997) (citing Brennan v. Kirby, 529 A.2d 633, 637 (R.I.1987)). Our task is to evaluate the constitutional issues presented and if two alternate interpretations are possible, we shall favor that which presents no potential constitutional difficulties. Id. (citing Kass v. Retirement Board of Employees' Retirement System, 567 A.2d 358, 360 (R.I.1989)); see also Rhode Island State Police v. Madison, 508 A.2d 678, 683 (R.I.1986). We begin with the well established principle that a statute is presumed to be valid and constitutional, Sundlun, 662 A.2d at 45, and the party challenging its constitutionality bears the burden of convincing this Court beyond a reasonable doubt that the enactment violates the state or federal constitution. Seibert v. Clark, 619 A.2d 1108, 1113 (R.I. 1993); see In Re Christopher S., 776 A.2d 1054, 1057 (R.I.2001) (citing In Re Advisory Opinion to the Governor, 659 A.2d 95, 100 (R.I.1995)). A careful review of the Firearms Act in its entirety reveals an orderly statutory scheme designed to regulate the possession and use of an array of weapons, including pistols, rifles and other deadly weapons. Besides banning the unlicensed possession of a firearm, the Firearms Act embraces a host of weapons and activities. Under its provisions a person convicted of a crime of violence or a felony is precluded from possessing a firearm [8] and a person who commits a crime of violence while armed with a firearm is guilty of a felony subject to a mandatory period of incarceration. [9] See State v. Rodriguez, 822 A.2d 894, 905, 907-08 (R.I.2003) (no double jeopardy bar to sentencing a defendant for the crime of use-of-a-firearm and committing a crime of violence, namely, murder, while armed with a firearm because, inter alia, the Legislature specifically has authorized a criminal sentence consecutive to the underlying violent felony). Further, person[s] who [are] under guardianship or treatment or confinement by virtue of being a mental incompetent, a drug addict or a drunkard may not own or possess any firearm; [10] nor may an illegal alien own a firearm. [11] It is unlawful for anyone in Rhode Island, whether licensed or exempt from the licensing statute, to carry or transport a firearm while intoxicated or under the influence of narcotics. [12] The Firearms Act prohibits the sale and transfer of any firearm to a minor; [13] nor may one sell or convey any ammunition to a person under eighteen years of age. [14] Anyone convicted of a drug crime while in possession of a firearm, whether licensed or not, is guilty of a felony. [15] The possession, manufacture and sale of a machine gun is generally prohibited. [16] Likewise, no one may possess or have under his or her control a sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle. [17] It is unlawful to alter the marks of identification on firearms. [18] The sale or possession of a silencer device designed to deaden or muffle the sound of a gunshot is outlawed, [19] as is the manufacture, sale and possession of armorpiercing bullets. [20] No one may possess a bomb or other explosive substance unless specifically authorized to do so by statute. [21] In addition to the restrictions and prohibitions concerning guns, the Firearms Act outlaws many other weapons  no person may carry or possess a blackjack, slingshot, billy[club], sandclub, sandbag, metal (brass) knuckles, slap glove, bludgeon, stun gun, or any kung-fu weapons. Possession of a dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-incane, bowie knife or any other knife with a blade measuring more than three inches is also prohibited. [22] Gun dealers must be licensed by the local authorities and are subject to mandatory restrictions and regulations. [23] The General Assembly has required a seven-day waiting period before one may purchase a pistol or revolver [24] or a rifle or a shotgun [25] and anyone who owns a firearm shall report its loss or theft within twenty-four hours of the discovery of the loss or theft. [26] It is unlawful to fire any firearm in a compact area of any city or town within the state, [27] anywhere within the Blackstone Valley flood plain or marshes, [28] across a public road or street; [29] nor may one carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle. [30] Further, every physician who attends or treats a gunshot wound or powder burn, must report the case at once to the local police. [31] To protect children from negligent gun owners, the Legislature recently has required the safe storage of firearms in the home. [32] Notably, in doing so, the General Assembly declared that its intent was not to reduce or limit any existing right to purchase and own firearms and/or ammunition or to infringe upon the privacy of any family, home or business except by lawful warrant. [33] Thus, while attempting to promote greater gun safety in the home, the General Assembly carefully has avoided any restriction on gun ownership by a homeowner or landowner. Additionally, retail dealers are now required to provide a trigger lock or other safety device before a pistol is delivered to a purchaser. [34] Finally, in response to the explosion of gun violence, particularly in Providence, [35] the General Assembly has provided for stiff penalties for anyone convicted of a drive-by shooting [36] or who possesses a firearm on school grounds. [37] Clearly, the regulation of weapons falls within the police power of the General Assembly and is both reasonable and necessary. A statute that vests the department with discretionary authority to issue a gun permit upon a proper showing of need, § 11-47-18, is part of this comprehensive scheme and does not unconstitutionally infringe on [t]he right of the people to keep and bear arms. R.I. Const. art. 1, sec. 22.