Gun Laws in Rhode Island

Subject/Law	Long guns	Handguns	Relevant Statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35	All purchasers of handguns must complete and pass a safety exam managed by the RI Department of Environmental Management, at which time they will receive a DEM issued "blue card" allowing purchase (R.I. Hunter Safety Education card is equivalent). Exempt are active duty military members, active and retired law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and persons licensed to carry a concealed firearm by RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–11.[133]
Firearm registration?	No	No	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–41	Explicitly illegal under state law.
Assault weapon law?	No	No	None
Owner license required?	No	No	None
License required for concealed carry?	N/A	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–11 RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–18	Rhode Island is a hybrid "shall issue" and "may issue" state for carry. Licenses may be granted either by local authorities or by the state's attorney general's office. Licenses granted by local authorities are "shall issue" while those issued by the attorney general's office are "may issue" under state law. Until recently, most local authorities had been deferring to the attorney general which effectively blocks most issuance, unless one is a retired law enforcement officer. The practice of not issuing permits on a true "shall issue" basis has been the subject of recent litigation. In April 2015, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled that a police chief must accept and review carry permit applications and must render a decision and the reasons for that decision. More significantly, the court ruled that the issuing authority must "show cause" for denying an applicant a carry license.[134] Permits issued by local authorities and the Attorney General's office are valid for concealed carry statewide.
License required for open carry?	No	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–18	Open carry of handguns is only expressly permitted for those with a pistol permit issued by the attorney general. Open carry of loaded long guns along public roadways is prohibited by law.
Vehicle carry?	No	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8	Permitted with a valid Rhode Island Pistol Permit. Non-residents may carry in a vehicle with a valid concealed carry permit issued by another state while traveling through Rhode Island without any intent to stop while in the state.
Out-of-state permits recognized?	N/A	Vehicle carry only	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8	Non-residents may carry in a vehicle with a valid carry permit issued by another state while traveling through Rhode Island without any intent to stop while in the state.
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–58
Castle Doctrine Law?	Yes	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–8–8	No duty to retreat while in one's home
NFA weapons restricted?	Yes	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8 RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–20	It is a violation of state law to possess any NFA weapon or silencers with the exception of Class III FFLs.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8	One may possess a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle without a RI permit as long as one possesses a carry permit from another state and is merely transiting through Rhode Island without any unnecessary stops. Long guns must be unloaded while in a vehicle. FOPA is observed.
Background checks required for private sales?	Yes	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35 RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8	For all firearm transfers, the buyer must pass a background check. Exempt are active law enforcement officers and those licensed to carry a concealed firearm by RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–11.
Red flag law?	Yes	Yes		The police may petition the Superior Court to issue an extreme risk protection order if they receive credible information of a significant and imminent risk. A judge may issue a temporary gun-removal order, but a hearing is required within 14 days to determine if a one-year ban on buying or possessing a firearm is warranted. Some localities have adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions in opposition.[135]
Waiting period?	Yes	Yes	RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35	After purchasing a firearm, the waiting period before the buyer can take possession is 7 days. Exempt are active law enforcement officers and those licensed to carry a concealed firearm by RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–11.

Understanding Gun Laws in Rhode Island

Gun laws can be complex and vary greatly from state to state. In this article, we will delve into the specifics of Rhode Island's gun laws. We will cover topics such as permits, registration, carry laws, and more. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive guide that is easy to understand, even for those who are new to the topic.

Permits and Registration

In Rhode Island, the requirement for a state permit to purchase firearms depends on the type of gun. For long guns, no state permit is required. However, for handguns, a state permit is indeed necessary (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35). To obtain this permit, all purchasers must pass a safety exam managed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Once passed, they receive a "blue card" that allows them to purchase handguns. Certain individuals, such as active duty military members, law enforcement officers, and those licensed to carry a concealed firearm, are exempt from this requirement.

As for firearm registration, Rhode Island law explicitly states that it is illegal for both long guns and handguns (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–41).

Carry Laws

Carrying firearms, whether concealed or open, also has specific laws in Rhode Island. For long guns, a license for concealed carry is not applicable. However, for handguns, a license is required for both concealed and open carry (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–11 and RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–18).

Rhode Island is a hybrid "shall issue" and "may issue" state for carry. Licenses may be granted either by local authorities or by the state's attorney general's office. Licenses granted by local authorities are "shall issue" while those issued by the attorney general's office are "may issue" under state law. This means that the issuing authority must "show cause" for denying an applicant a carry license.

It's also worth noting that open carry of handguns is only expressly permitted for those with a pistol permit issued by the attorney general. Open carry of loaded long guns along public roadways is prohibited by law.

Vehicle Carry and Out-of-State Permits

Vehicle carry is permitted with a valid Rhode Island Pistol Permit. Non-residents may carry in a vehicle with a valid concealed carry permit issued by another state while traveling through Rhode Island without any intent to stop while in the state (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8). This also applies to out-of-state permits, which are recognized for vehicle carry only.

Castle Doctrine Law and NFA Weapons

Rhode Island has a Castle Doctrine Law in place (RI Gen. Stat. 11–8–8). This means that there is no duty to retreat while in one's home. As for NFA weapons, it is a violation of state law to possess any NFA weapon or silencers, with the exception of Class III FFLs (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8 and RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–20).

Background Checks and Waiting Period

For all firearm transfers in Rhode Island, the buyer must pass a background check (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35 and RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–8). This applies to both private sales and purchases from licensed dealers. After purchasing a firearm, there is a waiting period of 7 days before the buyer can take possession (RI Gen. Stat. 11–47–35).

Understanding gun laws is crucial for anyone who owns or is considering owning a firearm. We hope this guide has helped clarify the specifics of Rhode Island's gun laws. Remember, it's always important to stay informed and abide by the law when it comes to firearm ownership and use.