Rhode Island Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No* | No** |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | Yes |
* Application required and 7-day waiting period. ** Safety course and application required and 7-day waiting period. The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | No Law |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Legal |
Right To Carry Laws | Rights Restricted-Very Limited Issue |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | None |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | No Law |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Purchase
A person must be 18 years old and not be prohibited by state and federal law from possessing a firearm to purchase a rifle or a shotgun. MORE |
Possession
There are no state licensing requirements for the possession of rifles, shotguns, and handguns by adults. It is unlawful for a minor under the age of 18 to possess and use any firearm or ammunition, unless he has a firearm permit and is at an approved rifle range or camp and is in the presence of a qualified adult. MORE |
Carrying
It is unlawful to carry a handgun on or about one’s person or in any vehicle or conveyance without a license to carry. Texas only recognizes permits issued by the Rhode Island Attorney General. MORE |
Preemption
The control of firearms, ammunition, or their component parts regarding their ownership, possession, transportation, carrying, transfer, sale, purchase, purchase delay, licensing, registration, and taxation shall rest solely with the state, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-58 (2002) |
Machine Guns
It is unlawful to manufacture, sell, purchase or possess a machine gun. However, the attorney general may issue a license to manufacture and sell machine guns and machine gun parts. The attorney general may also issue a license to a bank or carrier (of money, securities, or valuables) permitting them to possess machine guns. MORE |
Antiques and Replicas
Antique firearms unsuitable for use and collections of firearms maintained for educational or scientific purposes are exempt from the above regulations. |
Range Protection
R.I. GEN. LAWS. § 11-47-62 (2011) |
Miscellaneous
Loss or theft of a firearm must be reported to the local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of the discovery of the loss or theft. MORE |
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Yesterday, the Rhode Island General Assembly convened its 2018 legislative session. As in 2017, we will see gun ...
Friday, September 22, 2017
House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello summoned lawmakers back to Providence in a rare September session, and the House passed ...
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Under the amendments, anyone who is under a protective order from family or district court would be required ...
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Anti-gun groups are bombarding Senators with text messages, emails and phone calls, urging them to support H.5510a/S.405.
Friday, June 23, 2017
The Rhode Island Legislature is going to be ending their six-month session any day now, and as we ...
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Lawmakers are heading into the final days of the 2017 session and H.5510 has been scheduled for action ...
Friday, June 9, 2017
Lawmakers in Providence are nearing the finish line and expect to be wrapping up the 2017 Legislative Session ...
Monday, June 5, 2017
On Tuesday, June 6, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider over a dozen gun bills.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Guns-on-school grounds: The lawmakers who chose to respond to the Journal survey were almost evenly divided.As written, the ...
Monday, May 8, 2017
On Tuesday, May 9, the House Judiciary Committee will meet upon rise of the House (approximately 4:30 p.m.) ...