Rhode Island

FOPA applies, but RI police may arrest for possession of banned items (mags) if not strictly passing through.

Legal with a permit issued under § 11-47-11 (Town/City). Permits under § 11-47-18 (AG) are for concealed carry only.

Federal TSA rules apply. Declare at check-in.

Shall Issue at the local level (per Gadomski v. Tavares).

Dual system. Local (§ 11-47-11) is 'Shall Issue' to suitable persons. AG (§ 11-47-18) is 'May Issue' (practically Shall Issue post-Bruen).

Prohibited by statute.

State law prohibits carry on grounds, but exempts license holders? Note: § 11-47-60 was amended. Historically, license holders were exempt, but recent changes may have removed this. *Correction*: As of 2024, the exemption for CCW holders on school grounds was removed/debated. Current text of § 11-47-60 usually retains exemption for peace officers, but CCW exemption is often targeted. *Verification*: The 'Harold M. Metts School Safety Act of 2021' removed the CCW exemption. You cannot carry on school grounds even with a permit.

Illegal without a permit. Must be unloaded and secured.

Allowed if you have a RI permit.

Schools are the primary statutory prohibition. State parks often prohibited by regulation.

Must be unloaded and not readily accessible (e.g., trunk) if no permit.

SBRs/SBSs are generally prohibited unless they are Curios & Relics or specific exemptions apply, but practically very difficult to own. 'Sawed-off shotguns' are banned (§ 11-47-8).

Ghost guns (unserialized frames/receivers) and 3D printed guns are banned.

Banned completely.

All firearms must have a serial number engraved by a federally licensed manufacturer.

Not required.

Suppressors are banned. Flash hiders are legal.

No specific 'Assault Weapon' ban exists, but the 10-round magazine limit effectively restricts many standard configurations.

10 rounds max. Law upheld in Ocean State Tactical v. Rhode Island.

Compliance focuses on magazines. Rifles themselves do not need featureless grips or fixed magazines unless required to comply with the magazine ban (e.g., fixed 10-round mag).

No formal registry for owners, but the state retains copies of all purchase applications (triplicates), creating a de facto registry of transfers.

Required if a child (under 16) is likely to gain access.

Yes, Extreme Risk Protection Orders exist.

No requirement to register existing firearms when moving in.

Must report within 24 hours of discovery.

Must go through FFL or police background check process.

Temporary transfers allowed for specific sporting purposes.

No state mandate.

Criminal liability if a child gains access to an unsecured firearm.

Federal law prohibits possession by unlawful users of controlled substances. Marijuana remains federally illegal.

Illegal aliens are prohibited. Legal permanent residents may possess firearms.

Private sales must go through the same background check and waiting period process as dealer sales, or through an FFL.

Providing false information to secure a firearm is illegal.

RI prohibits possession for those convicted of certain domestic violence offenses or subject to DV protective orders.

RI uses a Point of Contact system where the seller sends the application to the local police (or State Police) who conduct the background check during the 7-day waiting period.

RI prohibits possession by anyone convicted of a 'crime of violence' (defined broadly in § 11-47-2) or who is a fugitive.

Felons, fugitives, unlawful users of controlled substances, those adjudicated as mental defectives, illegal aliens, dishonorably discharged veterans, and those subject to certain restraining orders.

21 for all firearms and ammunition.

7 days for all firearms (extended to long guns via § 11-47-35.2 application of § 11-47-35 provisions).

No handgun roster exists in RI.

A 'Blue Card' (Handgun Safety Certificate) is required to purchase handguns. No specific permit for long guns, but age/wait applies.

Legal, but must ship to an FFL for the background check and 7-day wait.

No rationing of purchases.

Minimum age 21. No quantity limits.

Handguns must be transferred to a RI FFL. Long guns can be bought out of state if compliant with RI law (including 7-day wait if applicable, though enforcement out of state is complex).

No background check required for ammunition.

Rhode Island recognizes a common law exception to the duty to retreat when a person is in their own home, allowing the use of force without retreating.

Rhode Island imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force, which applies everywhere except within one's own dwelling.

Rhode Island does not have a stand your ground law and generally imposes a duty to retreat before using deadly force in public places.