Rhode Island Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws

The minimum age to concealed carry in Rhode Island is 21 years old.

No. Rhode Island does not allow constitutional 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.

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. 

Stun devices/electric weapons are illegal. A federal judge ruled in March 2022 that Rhode Island's ban on stun guns was unconstitutional, the state has not yet updated its laws to reflect this ruling, and the Attorney General's office has indicated it would respect the ruling without appealing it. However, the law technically remains on the books, leading to some confusion regarding enforcement. Currently, the purchase and shipping of tasers to residents are being permitted in the state.

Not addressed in Rhode Island state law.

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]

Yes, with a RI LCCW only.

No. Not mentioned in state statutes.

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]

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]

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. However, LEOs have access to this information by entering your name and date of birth.

No. Rhode Island does not allow the public to access concealed carry registry information.

Yes. 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)]

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.

No.

The minimum age to possess and transport a handgun in Rhode Island is 18 years.

[R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-33]

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 DEM.DFW@dem.ri.gov. 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.

4 years

Contact your local issuing authority or the attorney general's office.

Moving to Rhode Island and interested in applying for a resident license? How soon can you apply?Rhode Island issues licenses to residents, individuals with businesses in the state and permit holders from other states. The Attorney General can also issue licenses to non-residents without concealed carry permits from their home state. In order to apply for a resident license, you may need to provide a Rhode Island driver's license or state ID.

Moving from Rhode Island and have a Rhode Island resident license? Does that license transfer to your new state? Is there a grace period during which your Rhode Island license remains valid?If a person with a Rhode Island resident license to carry concealed weapons establishes residency in another state, the license may be valid until it expires. Contact your issuing authority for details.

Initial License and Renewals $40

An applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old;
• Have a residence or place of business within the town in which the application is submitted. Or have a residence within the United States and a CCW permit/license issued by the authorities of any other state or subdivision of the United States;
• The Attorney General can also issue licenses to non-residents without concealed carry permits from their home state;
• Provide proof of qualification before a certified weapons instructor within one year of application; 
• Have a good reason to fear an injury to his or her person or property or have any other proper reason to be licensed;
• Be a suitable person to be so licensed;
• Not be prohibited from having a firearm by any state or federal law or court order; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

*Consult with an attorney if you have any questions about your eligibility. If you don’t have an attorney, you can find one by contacting the State Bar of Rhode Island.

• The property of a public or private elementary or secondary school or in those portions of any building, stadium, or other structure on school grounds which are being used for an activity sponsored by or through a school in this state or while riding school provided transportation (except unloaded firearms in locked containers or a locked rack in a motor vehicle) [11 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-60];
• State/national parks, WMAs and state/national forests [250-RICR-100-00-1.17];
• Any place if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs [11 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-52];
• Secured areas in airports; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.

It is legal to own any type of knife in Rhode Island as long as you do not intend to use the knife against another person. It is illegal to wear or carry a concealed dirk, dagger, any stabbing knife, Bowie knife, stiletto, sword cane or any knife with a blade longer than 3 inches in length. Schools are weapon-free zones. 

[11 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. §§ 11-47-42 and 11-47-60.2]

No. No person shall use, or have in his or her possession, while hunting for deer, pistols, guns, or other firearms, etc.

[R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-15-5]

Yes. No person shall obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person at the location where the activity is taking place with intent to prevent the lawful taking. 

[R.I. Gen. Laws § 20-13-16]