Providence Man Sentenced For Having A Gun Modified For Automatic Fire

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence man was sentenced to eight years in state prison after he was caught with an illegal gun that was modified to fire automatically with an auto sear device, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Thursday.

On Tuesday, Terrance Fisher, 28, pleaded nolo contendere to carrying a pistol without a license and possession of a pistol that was modified to fire automatically.

"So much of the gun violence in our communities is driven by illegal guns getting into the hands of those who will readily use them," Neronha said. "This defendant roamed a neighborhood park with a gun illegally modified to fire automatically, which has the potential to cause unthinkable carnage. I thank the efforts of the Providence Police Departments and commend the hard work by the prosecutors from our office for their work on this case."

Had the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove that Fisher brought an illegally modified pistol through a neighborhood park. On April 13, 2023, Providence police responded to a dispatch call about a man dressed in all black who had a gun at Billy Taylor Park. The park is known to police as a hot spot for the East Side street gang.

When police arrived at the park, they saw Fisher grab his waistband before running away and tossing an object over a nearby fence, prosecutors said. Police apprehended Fisher and later found a .40 caliber Glock-22 Gen 4 pistol with a laser attachment, outfitted with an auto sear to allow the pistol to fire automatically, according to prosecutors.

"The men and women of the Providence Police Department are ever vigilant in their pursuit of preventing violent crime, particularly those involving a firearm, within our community," Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez said. "Here, investigators acted swiftly to remove a dangerous defendant and weapon from the community. I praise the efforts of all those involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case."

Following his prison sentence, Fisher must serve 20 years of probation.

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