New bill would change definition of ‘crime gun’ in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The house judiciary committee will vote on a bill tonight that would revise the definition of a “crime gun.”

Under the proposal, law enforcement would be required to submit a seized gun or two cartridge cases, or shell casing to the state crime lab.

It could also be submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.

The gun would be tested and traced before it could be ruled a “crime gun.”

Currently under law, a gun could be considered a defined “crime gun” based on just suspicion.

That committee meets at 5 p.m.