The reference for Rhode Island firearms law.
Every statute cited and every change documented with its source.
Now in Effect
Effective as of
Since July 1, 2026, Rhode Island prohibits the manufacture, sale, offer to sell, transfer and purchase of prohibited firearms. The law does not ban possession.
P.L. 2025, ch. 281 (RIGL Chapter 11-47.2)
Rhode Island's assault weapons ban defines covered firearms by characteristics, not by name. The one-feature test applies to semi-automatic rifles. Semi-automatic pistols are covered by a fixed magazine capacity over ten rounds, and any semi-automatic firearm that can accept a belt ammunition feeding device is covered separately. This guide walks through the enacted statute by firearm type and explains that the pistol feature test in the bill as introduced is not the law.
Relocating to Rhode Island with firearms? What to check on magazines and prohibited items before the move, the Blue Card or equivalent DEM hunter safety proof for handgun purchases unless exempt, hunter safety reciprocity, and the rules for carrying once you arrive.
Rhode Island firearms penalties range from civil infractions (safe storage violations) to felonies carrying mandatory minimum sentences (possession by a person convicted of a crime of violence). This guide provides an overview of the penalty structure across the most common firearms offenses, including carrying without a permit, possession by prohibited persons, mandatory minimums, sentencing enhancements, safe storage violations, and the penalties under the assault weapons ban, which took effect on July 1, 2026.
Rhode Island provides a statutory pathway for certain disqualified persons to petition the Relief from Disqualifiers Board for restoration of firearms rights under RIGL 11-47-63. This guide explains eligibility, the petition process, waiting periods, Board factors, appeals, and federal limits.
Unless exempt under RIGL 11-47-64(c), ammunition buyers must be 21 or older and hold a valid DEM Blue Card or Rhode Island hunter education course card under RIGL 11-47-64. There is no ammunition background check. This guide explains the real requirement, the exemptions, and the federal age rules.
A practical guide to firearm restrictions and security screening in Rhode Island, including school grounds under RIGL 11-47-60, state buildings, federal facilities, courthouses, carrying while intoxicated in bars and restaurants, and private property where entry is forbidden. Covers the intoxication prohibition under RIGL 11-47-52, the limited exemptions for LCCW holders, and how federal prohibited places interact with state law.
Companion bills H7755 and S2726 would require persons seeking to purchase a firearm in Rhode Island, other than the police, military personnel and license holders covered by the bills' exceptions, to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course that includes live fire training, safe storage and Rhode Island firearms law. Until January 1, 2031, purchasers could instead present a DEM firearm safety certificate issued before the law takes effect. A new certificate would certify completion and passage of an approved course within the previous five years. H7755 was held for further study on April 8, 2026, and S2726 on April 14, 2026.
Two 2026 bills would change existing firearms restrictions. S2314 would make a first offense of possessing a large capacity feeding device a misdemeanor and subsequent offenses felonies, and S3038 would require a respondent under a temporary extreme risk protection order to be taken into protective custody and to an emergency room. H7133 concerns household pets in domestic abuse protective orders.
Multiple bills would address criminal penalties. H8067/S2056 would bar firearm possession by persons who have entered a plea of nolo contendere to or been convicted of a felony, and H8068/S3110 would prohibit possession by persons under 18 with exceptions for specified activities. Several minor bills would adjust safe-storage naming, DCYF peace officers and DV batterer program requirements.
Four bills address firearms and suicide prevention: H7636 and S2971 would create voluntary firearm restriction lists, and H8069 and S2958, now law, require shooting ranges to post crisis hotline signage.
H7650 would allow a person 18 or older to purchase or possess a stun gun except as otherwise prohibited by law or § 11-47-8, and would add stun guns to that section's carry-license requirement. H8072 and S2395 would allow a person 18 or older to purchase a stun gun or electronic dart gun except as otherwise prohibited by law or § 11-47-5. They would also prohibit purchase, ownership, carrying, transport or possession by a person prohibited from possessing a firearm under § 11-47-5 or who has entered a plea of nolo contendere to or been convicted of a felony in Rhode Island or elsewhere. All three bills would provide criminal penalties for sales to people under 18 and for use in a crime or on a police officer engaged in the performance of duty, and H8070 concerns college and university students and employees. A separate bill (H8070) would permit any student, professor or other employee of a public or private college or university to carry and possess a stun gun or pepper spray for self-defense.
Companion bills would require purchasers of rifles, shotguns, pistols and revolvers to present firearm safety training certificates, subject to military and license-holder exemptions. Listed law enforcement officers would be issued certificates by the Attorney General. Until January 1, 2031, purchasers could instead present a DEM firearm safety certificate issued before the provision took effect.
House Bill 8075 would require all Rhode Island firearm owners to maintain $1,000,000 in liability insurance, with exemptions only for active-duty law enforcement and military personnel.
House Bill 8071 would require a background check before an ammunition sale or transfer, except sales or transfers to active law enforcement officers and bona fide wholesale sales to licensed retail dealers, and would bar ammunition possession by individuals prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.