Rhode Island Concealed Carry Firearm Laws

Rhode Island: Gun Laws Summary

Rhode Island is a shall-issue state by state law but the attorney general “may-issue” licenses as well. Licenses to carry concealed weapons are issued at the local level by the police chief or by the attorney general.

Under Rhode Island law, local law enforcement “shall-issue” licenses to eligible applicants “if it appears” that the applicant is “a suitable person to be licensed” and either “has good reason to fear an injury to his or her person or property” or has any other “proper reason” for carrying a handgun. [11-47-11]

The Rhode Island attorney general also “may-issue” a license to carry a handgun, “concealed or not,” to a person age 21 or older who makes a “proper showing of need” for the license and has certification of his or her ability to use the handgun. The attorney-general-issued license, unlike that issued by local authorities, can also be granted to undocumented persons. [11-47-11.1]

Self-Defense

Rhode Island is a Castle Doctrine state. Rhode Island law states the owner, tenant or occupier of a place has no duty to retreat and can engage a threat with reasonable means of self-defense.

Presumed Self-Defense

It is presumed as a matter of law in any civil or criminal proceeding that the owner, tenant or occupier of a place where a criminal offense was committed acted by reasonable means in self-defense and in the reasonable belief that the person engaged in the criminal offense was about to inflict great bodily harm or death upon that person or any other individual lawfully in the place where the criminal offense was committed. There shall be no duty on the part of an owner, tenant or occupier to retreat from any person engaged in the commission of any criminal offense enumerated in §§ 11-8-2 – 11-8-6, which includes: Breaking or entering a dwelling house, apartment, building or garage; or Intent to commit murder, sexual assault, robbery, arson or larceny. [11-8-8]

Rhode Island: Gun Laws at a Glance


Magazine Capacity Restrictions	Yes. Gov. Daniel McKee signed into law a magazine restriction of no more than 10 rounds. The law went into effect on July 1, 2022. The new law limiting magazine size gives current owners of high-capacity magazines six months to modify them, surrender them to police or transfer them to people in states where they are legal. After that, anyone still in possession of an outlawed magazine could face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000.
License to Carry Concealed Firearm	Rhode Island is a shall-issue/may-issue hybrid state.
Legal to Own a Stun Gun or Taser	Stun devices/electric weapons are illegal. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-42]
Minimum Age for Concealed Carry License	The minimum age to concealed carry in Rhode Island is 21 years old.
Legal to Buy or Use Chemical Spray/Pepper Spray	Yes, any person 18 years of age or over may carry and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for his or her protection or the protection of others; however, the use of any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for any other purpose shall be punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-57]
Concealed Carry of Weapons Other Than Handguns	A concealed carry license in Rhode Island does not allow you to carry weapons other than handguns.
Constitutional Carry	No. Rhode Island does not allow constitutional carry.
Open Carry	Yes, however, only with a RI LCCW issued by the attorney general. A person may open carry without a license in their place of residence, place of business and on land they own.
Ammunition Restrictions	Yes. Armor-piercing ammunition is prohibited. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-20.1]

Rhode Island: Carry Locations


Carrying a Concealed Firearm at Roadside Rest Areas	Yes, with a RI LCCW only.
Carrying a Concealed Firearm in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas	No. Concealed carry is not allowed in state/national parks, state/national forests and wildlife management areas in Rhode Island. [250-RICR-100-00-1.17]
Carrying a Concealed Firearm in Bars and Restaurants that Serve Alcohol	Yes, with a RI LCCW only, unless posted and provided you are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-52]
Carrying or Possessing a Firearm on Hotel Property	An innkeeper may remove or cause to be removed a guest or other person who the innkeeper has direct knowledge has brought property into the hotel that may be dangerous to other persons, such as firearms or explosives. The individual hotel should be contacted to inquire about its concealed carry policy. See the Handguns at Hotels page for additional information. [R.I. Gen Laws Ann. § 5-14-4(a)(4)]
Storing Firearms in Private Vehicles in an Employee Parking Lot	Not addressed in Rhode Island state law.
Carrying a Concealed Handgun in a Vehicle	Yes, with any valid state or U.S. territory concealed carry permit, provided you are merely transporting the firearm through the state in a vehicle or other conveyance without any intent to remain within the state of Rhode Island. Without a valid permit, a firearm must be unloaded and neither the firearm nor any ammunition can be readily accessible from the passenger compartment. In vehicles without a trunk, the firearm or ammunition must be in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-8]

Rhode Island: Key State Laws


Does Rhode Island issue concealed carry licenses to non-residents?	Yes, if you have a valid CCW license from your home state. The Attorney General may issue licenses to non-residents without CCW permits from their home state. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-11]
Does Rhode Island allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?	No. Rhode Island does not allow the public to access concealed carry registry information.
Do you have a duty to inform a police officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Rhode Island?	There is no duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm in Rhode Island. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-27]
Is my Rhode Island driver’s license linked to my Rhode Island carry license?	No. Your Rhode Island driver’s license is not linked to your Rhode Island carry license. Therefore, a law enforcement officer (LEO) will not be notified that you are a concealed carry license holder immediately when they run your driver’s license. LEOs have access to this information by entering your name and date of birth.
If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.	No. Not mentioned in state statutes.
Does Rhode Island have preemption laws related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?	Yes, the state has preemption of firearms laws in Rhode Island, except local governments are allowed to pass ordinances to protect the public safety. [RI Genl Laws § 11-47-58]
Does Rhode Island have a red flag law?	Rhode Island has a red flag law. A law enforcement agency may file a petition that shall enjoin the respondent from having in his or her possession, custody or control any firearms and shall further enjoin the respondent from purchasing, receiving, or attempting to purchase or receive, any firearms while the order is in effect. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-3]
Does Rhode Island state law define brandishing?	No definition of brandishing was found in Rhode Island law. A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly or recklessly engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior. [R.I. Gen Laws § 11-45-1]
Does Rhode Island have laws regarding carrying a concealed firearm while using alcohol or drugs?	Not while intoxicated or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-52]. As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.

Rhode Island: Handgun Purchase and Possession


Permit to Purchase	All purchasers of handguns must either have a RI LCCW or complete and pass a minimum two-hour basic handgun safety course administered by the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM), at which time they will receive a DEM-issued safety certificate. A person must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a handgun in Rhode Island. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35.1]
Exceptions	Rhode Island requires both licensed dealers and private unlicensed sellers to conduct background checks through the state police or local chief of police. All prospective firearms purchasers in Rhode Island must complete and sign an application form which the seller is required to send to the state police or local chief of police for the background check. The police authority has seven days to verify that the applicant’s background meets state requirements. Exemptions include the following: Rhode Island License to Carry Concealed Weapons holders, full-time members of the state police, state marshal’s office, city and town police departments and correctional officers. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35.1]
Background Check Exemption for Concealed Carry License	No.
Waiting Period	There is a 7-day waiting period.
Handgun Registration	Handguns in Rhode Island do not need to be registered.
Minimum Age for Possession and Transportation	The minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Rhode Island is 18 years. [R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-33]
License to Carry Firearms for Possession in Home	A License to Carry Firearms is not required for anyone legally entitled to carry a firearm in the person’s dwelling house or place of business or on land possessed by him or her. [R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8(a)]
Handgun Purchase Process	To purchase a handgun in Rhode Island, you must first possess a Rhode Island Hunter Education Course Card (also known as an Orange Card) or Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Pistol/Revolver Safety Certificate (also known as a Blue Card). A Blue Card certifies that you have completed the state’s required handgun safety exam. The 50 question exam, which contains both true/false and multiple choice questions, can be completed at any RIDEM-approved firearms dealer or sporting club in the state or at the RIDEM Headquarters in Providence. There is no fee to take the exam. A study booklet can be obtained by calling the RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-0281 or emailing them at [email protected]. To pass, you must score at least an 80 percent. After achieving a passing score, your Blue Card will arrive by mail. Active military personnel may waive the handgun safety exam requirement and obtain a Blue Card by presenting their Military ID at either the RIDEM Division of Fish & Wildlife Great Swamp Field Headquarters or RIDEM Headquarters at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, Rhode Island. When purchasing your handgun, whether through a private transaction or through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL), you will need to complete a Purchase of a Pistol or Revolver Application Form. There is a 7-day waiting period after filing this form with the State Police, during which a background check in completed. If you are approved, you may pick up your firearm after the waiting period has passed.