By Messrs. Quinn of Dartmouth and Canessa of New Bedford, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1694) of John F. Quinn and others relative to crimes committed with deceptive weapon devices.  The Judiciary.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

John F. Quinn

Stephen R. Canessa

Mark C. Montigny

Robert M. Koczera

Cleon H. Turner

John P. Fresolo

Jennifer L. Flanagan

Antonio F. D. Cabral

William M. Straus

David B. Sullivan

Thomas P. Kennedy

Jennifer M. Callahan

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to deceptive weapon devices .

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1.  Section 121 of Chapter 140 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following definition:-

“Deceptive Weapon Device” Any device or item used in the commission of a crime that is intended to convey the presence of a weapon, as defined in this section, to a potential victim or law enforcement officer.  Such devices or items shall include, but not be limited to, common air guns, toy guns, or substances carved or fashioned to resemble a weapon.

SECTION 2.  Chapter 265 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting a new section:-

Section 45. Crimes committed with a deceptive weapon device

Any person who is in possession of a deceptive weapon device as defined in Section 121 of Chapter 140 of the General Laws, during the commission of a violent crime as defined in Section 121 of Chapter 140 of the General Laws shall be seemed to be armed and shall be punishable by penalties set forth in this Chapter.