Rhode Island Gun Laws: Concealed Carry, Open Carry and Buying a Gun

No. Without a license or permit, no one may carry a pistol or revolver in a vehicle or on or about their person, whether visible or concealed. The exceptions are in one's home, place of business or on land one possesses, plus listed exemptions (such as going to a target range). The penalty is 1 to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Rhode Island has two permits. (1) City and town licensing authorities 'shall' issue a license to carry a concealed pistol or revolver to an applicant who is 21 or older and has a residence or place of business in that city or town. Nonresidents 21 or older who hold a carry permit from another state may also apply. The applicant must appear to have 'good reason to fear an injury' to person or property or 'any other proper reason', and must be a 'suitable person'. (2) The Attorney General 'may' issue a permit to anyone 21 or older to carry a pistol or revolver, concealed or not, 'upon a proper showing of need'. For either permit, the applicant must qualify with a pistol or revolver by scoring 195 out of 300 with 30 rounds at 25 yards. The fee is $40, and permits are valid for four (4) years.

Openly carrying a pistol or revolver also requires a permit, because the license requirement applies whether the gun is 'visible or concealed'. The city or town license covers concealed carry only; the Attorney General's permit allows carry 'whether concealed or not'. A loaded rifle or shotgun, or one with shells left in the magazine, may not be carried on or along any public highway, road, lane or trail, except by officers and people lawfully hunting.

No one may sell a firearm to a person under 21. Handguns, rifles and shotguns may be bought only by U.S. citizens or lawful Rhode Island residents who are 21 or older (or nonresident service members 21 or older stationed in Rhode Island). On-duty police, state marshals, correctional officers and active military are exempt from the age-21 rule. Giving any firearm to someone under 18 is a crime, except for supervised activities with a parent's or guardian's consent. Minors under 18 may possess firearms only in supervised settings such as approved ranges, hunting, or firearms education.

Yes, for all buyers. Any person delivering a pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun must have the buyer complete a signed application. The seller sends it on the day of application to the police chief of the buyer's city or town, or to the State Police for Exeter and out-of-state buyers. The police then run a background check. Handgun buyers must also show a pistol/revolver safety certificate from the Department of Environmental Management, earned by completing a basic safety course.

Seven days for all guns. A pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun may not be delivered until seven (7) days have passed from 12:00 noon on the day after the purchase application. The gun is then delivered if no disqualifying information has come back from the police. It must be delivered unloaded and securely wrapped.

Yes. Only a law enforcement agency may petition the superior court (in the county where the respondent lives) for an extreme risk protection order. No filing fee is charged. A temporary order may be issued first. A final order lasts for a fixed period of one year and may be renewed.

Magazines: Since June 20, 2022, it is a crime (up to 5 years and/or a $5,000 fine) to make, sell, transfer, buy, possess or control a 'large capacity feeding device'. People who already had one had 180 days to modify it to hold no more than ten (10) rounds, surrender it, or transfer it out of state. Assault weapons: Starting July 1, 2026, Rhode Island bans making, selling, offering, transferring or buying (but not possessing) 'prohibited firearms'. These include semi-automatic rifles that take detachable magazines and have at least one listed feature (such as a folding or telescoping stock, pistol grip, or flash suppressor), semi-automatic rifles or pistols with fixed magazines over 10 rounds, and semi-automatic shotguns with fixed magazines over 6 rounds. Violations carry up to 10 years and/or a $10,000 fine. Owners may still sell to dealers or to lawful buyers out of state.

A license or permit is required to carry a pistol or revolver in any vehicle, visible or concealed. Visitors with another state's permit may transport a handgun only while passing through Rhode Island without intending to stop or stay. A loaded rifle or shotgun may not be carried on public roads (hunters excepted). On school grounds, an unloaded firearm in a locked container or locked rack in a vehicle is allowed.

Rhode Island does not honor other states' carry permits for carrying in the state. A holder of another state's permit may only transport the firearm through Rhode Island in a vehicle without intending to stay. Nonresidents 21 or older who have another state's carry permit may apply to a Rhode Island city or town for a Rhode Island license.

No one may possess a firearm or other weapon on the grounds of a public or private elementary or secondary school, in school buildings or stadiums used for school activities, or on school transportation. The penalty is 1 to 5 years in prison or a fine of $500 to $5,000. Police, contracted school security and approved school programs are exempt. Unloaded guns locked in a vehicle are allowed. The rule does not apply to colleges or universities. Carrying a weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is also unlawful.

Banned. No one (other than a federally licensed Type 07 manufacturer) may make, sell, offer to sell, transfer, buy, possess or control a ghost gun, an undetectable firearm, or any firearm made by 3D printing. The penalty is up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.