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 |
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
The debate over gun control is returning to the Rhode Island Statehouse, but it's unclear if anything has ...
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Next Tuesday, March 18, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing after “rise of the House” to ...
Saturday, March 1, 2014
This week, law-abiding gun owners were in the crosshairs of anti-gun lawmakers in Providence. Several pieces of legislation ...
Friday, February 28, 2014
Some Rhode Island lawmakers...are again taking aim at gun control. No fewer that nine bills are now being ...
Monday, February 10, 2014
A 10 percent tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition has been proposed in Rhode Island's General ...
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
On January 7, the Rhode Island Legislature convened its 2014 legislative session. Governor Lincoln Chaffee delivered his final ...
Friday, July 19, 2013
Governor Chafee has signed into law three bills that had been part of Democrats' legislative response to the ...
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Last week, the Rhode Island General Assembly adjourned its 2013 legislative session and gun owners emerged victorious as ...
Monday, July 8, 2013
After the deadly school massacre in Newtown, Conn., top Rhode Island leaders gathered to recommend ways to crack ...
Friday, June 7, 2013
On Tuesday, House Bill 6160 was heard in the House Judiciary Committee. After vocal opposition and testimony from ...