S 2285Violent Crime Penalties

Criminal Offenses - Weapons

Increases mandatory minimum prison sentences and denies early parole for possessing or using stolen firearms during crimes.

Held for study

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Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

This legislation increases the prison sentences for individuals convicted of possessing a stolen firearm or using a stolen firearm while committing a violent crime. It raises both the minimum and maximum years of imprisonment for these offenses. Additionally, it establishes stricter requirements regarding parole and probation, mandating that offenders serve a specific number of years in prison before they become eligible for release or supervision. The bill aims to impose harsher penalties on repeat offenders and those involved in violent criminal activity with stolen weapons.

For younger readers

This new rule changes how long someone has to stay in prison if they are caught with a stolen gun. If a person uses a stolen gun to hurt someone or break the law, or if they are just hiding a stolen gun, they will have to stay in jail for a longer time than before. It also makes sure that these people cannot get out of jail early for good behavior until they have finished a large part of their punishment.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Gun ownersCriminal defendantsJudgesCorrectional officersProsecutors

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Addresses the proliferation of illegal firearms in communities, potentially reducing gun violence which often disproportionately affects marginalized neighborhoods.
Focuses penalties specifically on the possession and use of stolen weapons rather than imposing restrictions on lawful gun ownership.
May deter the theft and black-market trade of firearms, thereby reducing the number of unaccounted-for weapons circulating in the state.
Increases the use of mandatory minimum sentencing, a practice often criticized for contributing to mass incarceration and removing judicial discretion to consider individual circumstances.
Likely to disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities who are statistically more likely to be subject to policing and harsher sentencing.
Focuses on punitive incarceration rather than rehabilitation or addressing the root causes of crime and violence in communities.

For Conservatives

Strengthens "law and order" by imposing harsher penalties on criminals who use stolen firearms, potentially deterring violent crime.
Protects the rights of legal gun owners by strictly punishing those who steal firearms or possess stolen property.
Ensures that violent offenders and those trafficking illegal weapons remain incarcerated for longer periods, preventing them from returning to the streets quickly.
Increases the financial burden on taxpayers by mandating longer prison terms, which significantly raises state correctional costs.
Removes discretion from judges, potentially leading to government overreach where rigid statutory terms replace prudent judicial judgment.
Could potentially entrap individuals who unknowingly possess a firearm with a clouded history, despite the "knowing" requirement, due to aggressive prosecution.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 17 additions · 6 deletions

SECTION 1. Sections 11-47-3.1 and 11-47-5.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons" are hereby amended to read as follows: 11-47-3.1. Carrying a stolen firearm when committing a crime of violence. No person shall commit a crime of violence when armed with or having available a stolen firearm. Every person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished: (1) for the first conviction by imprisonment for not less than ~~five (5)~~ ten (10) nor more than ~~fifteen (15)~~ twenty

(20) years and shall serve at least five (5) years without the eligibility for parole or probation; (2) for a second conviction under this section by imprisonment for not less than fifteen (15) nor more than ~~twenty (20)~~ twenty-five (25) years and shall serve at least ten (10) years without the eligibility for parole or probation; and (3) for a third or subsequent conviction under this section by imprisonment for not less than ~~twenty (20)~~ twenty-five (25) years and may be imprisoned for life and shall serve at least fifteen (15) years without the eligibility for parole or probation. The sentence imposed shall be consecutive to the underlying sentence for the crime of violence. 11-47-5.2. Possession of a stolen firearm. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a stolen firearm, knowing it to be stolen. Any person in violation of this section shall be guilty of a felony and subject to imprisonment for not less than ~~three (3)~~ five (5) years nor more than ~~fifteen (15)~~ twenty (20) years. Any person convicted under this section who is a first offender shall serve at least three (3) years without the eligibility for parole or probation and any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense shall serve at least ten (10) years without the eligibility for parole or probation.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.