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 |
Monday, March 30, 2015
On Thursday, April 2, the House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will take public testimony on House ...
Monday, March 16, 2015
Tomorrow, March 17, the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Judiciary is scheduled to hear Senate Bill 503. Sponsored ...
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Today, the Rhode Island General Assembly began its 2015 session. The NRA will continue this year to fight ...
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
A 25-year-old Bristol man is suing that town’s police chief over the denial of a permit to carry ...
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Late last week, state lawmakers in Providence adjourned their 2014 legislative session. The NRA and gun rights activists ...
Monday, June 16, 2014
State lawmakers in Providence passed legislation last week to increase the reporting in Rhode Island of individuals who ...
Friday, May 30, 2014
A State House hearing Thursday followed a well-worn path of other airings of bills focused on guns this ...
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Anti-gun lawmakers in Providence appear to be saving their best for last. After months of debating gun bills ...
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Sen. Joshua Miller, D-Cranston, has publicly apologized for hurling an expletive at a gun-rights activist during a recent ...
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Last night, the House Judiciary Committee voted to “hold for further study” anti-gun legislation opposed by NRA-ILA. While ...