Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Rhode Island
Whether Rhode Island has a red flag (extreme risk) law and any limits on assault weapons or magazine capacity.
Short answer: 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. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-8.3-1, 8-8.3-2, 8-8.3-4, 8-8.3-5, 8-8.3-7
| Red flag law | 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. |
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| Assault weapons and magazine limits | 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. Magazine ban: P.L. 2022, ch. 99. Assault weapons sale ban: P.L. 2025, ch. 281, effective July 1, 2026. Magazine section: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE11/11-47.1/11-47.1-3.htm |
More Rhode Island gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Rhode Island
- Open Carry in Rhode Island
- Buying a Gun in Rhode Island
- All Rhode Island gun laws rules
FAQ
Does Rhode Island have a red flag law?
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.
Does Rhode Island ban assault weapons or high-capacity magazines?
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.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.