Woonsocket Radio News Room

House passes legislation that would ban 3-D printed guns, other untraceable, undetectable firearms

STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today passed legislation introduced by Rep. Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) that would effectively outlaw 3-D-printed guns and other untraceable or undetectable firearms known as ghost guns.     

The bill (2020-H 7102Aaa) would prohibit the manufacturing, importation, sale, shipment, delivery, possession, or transfer of any ghost gun or firearm that is undetectable by metal detectors commonly used at airports and public buildings, including 3D printed firearms. The bill was amended on the floor to reflect a compromise with the Senate, which includes language that the provisions of the law would be enforceable 30 days after passage.

“While I am a strong proponent of people’s right to bear arms, these devices simply lack the safety, reliability and accountability of conventional firearms and have become a menace to society,” said Representative Serpa.

The measure now moves to the Senate, which has passed similar legislation (2020-S 2004Aaa) introduced by Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence).

The legislation is part of a package of bills introduced in the House of Representatives in January that seeks to protect the public from people who are not law-abiding citizens and who possess guns illegally.

Last week, the House passed legislation (2020-H 7103Aaa) introduced by Rep. Daniel P. McKiernan (D-Dist. 7, Providence) that would require gun sellers to forward firearm applications to the superintendent of State Police and the police department of the city or town where the buyer resides.

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