Now in Effect
Assault Weapons Ban Takes Effect
Effective as of
The sale, transfer, and future acquisition of assault weapons will be prohibited starting July 1, 2026. Existing owners are grandfathered.
P.L. 2025, ch. 281 (RIGL Chapter 11-47.2)
Chapter 135 updates tracked daily. Latest changes
Rhode Island Gun Laws.
Clear, Current, Cited.
The modern reference for Rhode Island firearms law.
Every statute tracked, every change documented, every source cited.
- Laws Tracked
- 35
- Guides Published
- 17
Featured Guides
View allRhode Island Assault Weapons Ban: How the Feature Test Applies to Rifles, Pistols, and Shotguns
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 clears up the pistol feature test that circulates online but is not the law.
Moving to Rhode Island: A New Resident's Firearms Guide
Relocating to Rhode Island with firearms? What to check on magazines and prohibited items before the move, the Blue Card required to buy a handgun, hunter safety reciprocity, and the rules for carrying once you arrive.
Understanding Rhode Island Firearms Penalties
Rhode Island firearms penalties range from civil infractions (safe storage violations) to serious felonies carrying mandatory minimum sentences (felon in possession). This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the penalty structure across the most common firearms offenses, including carrying without a permit, felon in possession, mandatory minimums, sentencing enhancements, safe storage violations, and the upcoming assault weapons ban penalties.
How to Restore Your Firearms Rights After Disqualification
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.
Ammunition Purchase Requirements in Rhode Island
Rhode Island requires ammunition buyers to be 21 or older and to present a DEM Blue Card or hunter education 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.
Prohibited Places: Where You Cannot Carry Firearms in Rhode Island
A practical guide to locations where firearms are prohibited in Rhode Island, including school grounds under RIGL 11-47-60, state and federal buildings, courthouses, bars and restaurants serving alcohol, and private property with posted restrictions. Covers the intoxication prohibition under RIGL 11-47-52, the limited exemptions for LCCW holders, and how federal prohibited places interact with state law.
Latest Updates
View all newsProposed
H7755 / S2726 (2026): Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act -- Mandatory Safety Training
Companion bills H7755 and S2726 would require persons seeking to purchase a firearm in Rhode Island, other than police and military personnel and the license holders the bills except, to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course that includes live fire training, safe storage and Rhode Island firearms law. Certificate valid 5 years. Hearing scheduled April 8, 2026.
●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
2026 Bills Strengthening Existing Restrictions: LCM Penalties, ERPO Expansion, DV Provisions
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, sometimes listed with them, concerns household pets in domestic abuse protective orders.
Who: LCM owners, individuals subject to ERPOs or DV orders, and respondents in domestic abuse cases●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
2026 Criminal Penalty Bills: Felon Possession, Under-18 Prohibition, and Minor Provisions
Multiple bills address criminal penalties: H8067/S2056 bar felons from firearm possession, H8068/S3110 prohibit possession by persons under 18, and several minor bills adjust safe-storage naming, DCYF peace officers, and DV batterer program requirements.
Who: Persons with felony convictions, minors, DCYF workers, DV respondents●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
2026 Suicide Prevention and Voluntary Restriction Bills
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.
Who: Shooting range operators, firearm dealers, individuals seeking voluntary restrictions●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
2026 Stun Gun Legalization Bills: H7650, H8072, S2395, and H8070
Three bills, H7650, H8072 and S2395, would allow a person 18 or older to purchase a stun gun (H7650 also to possess one, H8072 and S2395 also an electronic dart gun), with criminal penalties for sales to people under 18 and for use in a crime or against a police officer, and a fourth, 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.
Who: All Rhode Island adults 18+, college students and staff●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
H7755 / S2726 (2026): Mandatory Firearm Safety Training (Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act)
Companion bills would require basic firearm safety training before purchasing or possessing any firearm in Rhode Island, with exemptions for law enforcement, military, and existing license holders.
Who: All prospective first-time firearm purchasers in Rhode Island●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
H8075 (2026): $1 Million Firearm Liability Insurance Mandate
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.
Who: All civilian firearm owners in Rhode Island●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026
Proposed
H8071 (2026): Ammunition Background Checks
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.
Who: All ammunition purchasers, dealers, and private sellers in Rhode Island●Reviewed Oct 8, 2026