Rhode Island State Law Summary

Last updated April 25, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Rhode Island ranked 9 out of 50 – having enacted some of the strongest gun violence prevention laws.  Among other things, Rhode Island:

• Requires a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between private parties;

• Licenses firearms dealers;

• Prohibits individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders from purchasing or possessing firearms;

• Requires a waiting period for firearm transfers;

• Imposes child access prevention requirements upon gun owners; and

• Requires firearm owners to report the loss or theft of their firearms.

Rhode Island does not, however:

• Prohibit the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles or large capacity ammunition magazines;

• Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time;

• Require the registration of firearms;

• Prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing or possessing firearms; or

• Regulate unsafe handguns.

Local governments in Rhode Island possess some authority to regulate firearms and ammunition.

Rhode Island ranks 49th among the states in number of gun deaths per capita. In 2007, 37 people died from firearm-related injuries in Rhode Island. In 2009, Rhode Island supplied the 44th highest number of crime guns to other states per capita, and the state imports more crime guns than it exports.

For details about specific firearms laws in Rhode Island, choose a topic below.

Overview State "Right to Bear Arms" Statistics Local Authority to Regulate Firearms
State Firearms Policies Persons Prohibited from Firearm Possession Prohibited Purchasers Generally Minimum Age to Purchase / Possess Domestic Violence & Firearms Disarming Prohibited Persons Sales & Transfers Background Checks Mental Health Reporting Multiple Purchases / Sales of Firearms Retention of Sales / Background Check Records Waiting Periods Gun Dealers & Other Sellers Dealer Regulations Private Sales Gun Shows Immunity Statutes Gun Owner Responsibilities Licensing of Gun Owners / Purchasers Registration of Firearms Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms	Firearms in Public Places Concealed Weapons Permitting Open Carrying Location Restrictions Guns in Vehicles Guns in Schools Other Location Restrictions Consumer & Child Safety Design Safety Standards for Handguns Locking Devices Personalized / Owner-Authorized Firearms Child Access Prevention Classes of Weapons / Ammunition Assault Weapons Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Fifty Caliber Rifles Machine Guns / Automatic Firearms Non-Powder Guns Ammunition Regulation Investigating Gun Crimes Microstamping / Ballistic Identification Trafficking Other Significant Regulation
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