Rhode Island is a may-issue state for concealed carry permits under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-11 (local) and § 11-47-18 (Attorney General). You must be 21, pass a background check, and show a "proper reason" (discretionary). Concealed carry without a permit is a felony (up to 5 years) per R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8. Prohibited places include schools (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-60).
Costs: Permit fee is $40 for 4 years. Training varies ($50-$100). Total: $90-$140.
Processing Time: Up to 90 days.
Renewal: $40 every 4 years.
Reciprocity: Rhode Island recognizes no other states’ permits; few states honor Rhode Island’s permit.
Sources: [1]
Rhode Island effectively bans open carry in public without a permit under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8. A concealed carry permit may allow open carry, but issuance is rare and discretionary. Violations are felonies (up to 5 years).
Sources: [1]
Rhode Island bans assault weapons (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-2) and magazines over 10 rounds (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-20.1). Machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers require federal ATF compliance (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-20). Violations are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: ATF tax stamp is $200 per item.
Processing Time: 6-12 months for ATF approval.
Rhode Island requires a background check and a 7-day waiting period for all firearm purchases (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35). Age minimum is 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns. Private sales must follow the same rules (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35.2). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 1 year).
Costs: Background check fee is $5.
Processing Time: 7 days.
Rhode Island imposes no state requirement for firearm registration under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8, and there’s no mandate to report lost or stolen guns. However, restricted items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles/shotguns, and silencers—known as NFA items—fall under federal registration law per 26 U.S.C. § 5841. These must be registered with the ATF, a requirement Rhode Island recognizes in R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-20. Violations of federal NFA registration rules are felonies (up to 10 years).
Costs: Federal tax stamp for NFA items is $200.
Rhode Island requires firearms to be secured with a trigger lock or in a safe when not in use if minors are present (R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-60.1). Violations are misdemeanors (up to 1 year) or felonies (up to 5 years) if a minor accesses the gun.
Sources: [1]
Rhode Island has a moderate Castle Doctrine under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-8-8. Deadly force is justified in your home if you reasonably believe it’s necessary to prevent imminent harm, but there’s a duty to retreat if safe unless against an intruder. Excessive force risks manslaughter (up to 30 years).
Sources: [1]