Even with a valid License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (LCCW), there are numerous locations in Rhode Island where carrying a firearm is prohibited or restricted. Violating these prohibitions can result in criminal charges, permit revocation, or both. This guide catalogs the places you need to know about.
School Grounds
RIGL 11-47-60[1] prohibits firearms on the grounds of any public or private school (K-12). The prohibition covers the building, grounds, and any school-sponsored event regardless of location. This applies to all persons, including LCCW holders. There is no concealed carry exemption for school grounds. The only exceptions are for law enforcement officers acting in their official capacity and for firearms that are unloaded and locked in a vehicle's trunk or other secured container during drop-off or pick-up. Violation is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment.
State Buildings and Courthouses
Rhode Island prohibits firearms in state buildings, including the State House, state office buildings, and courthouses. The Rhode Island Judiciary's administrative orders prohibit firearms in all court facilities. Security screening at courthouses enforces this prohibition. LCCW holders are not exempt from courthouse restrictions. State agencies may also restrict firearms in their offices through posted signage and security protocols.
Federal Buildings and Facilities
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 930)[2] prohibits firearms in all federal facilities, including post offices, Social Security offices, VA hospitals, federal courthouses, and IRS offices. This prohibition applies nationwide and supersedes any state permit. Violation is a federal offense punishable by up to one year imprisonment, or up to five years if the person had intent to commit a crime.
Airports
Firearms are prohibited past TSA security checkpoints at T.F. Green International Airport and all other airports under federal law (49 U.S.C. 46505). You may transport an unloaded firearm in checked luggage in a locked, hard-sided container in compliance with TSA regulations. Before the security checkpoint, Rhode Island state law governs. An LCCW holder may carry in the public areas of the airport terminal up to the security screening point.
State Parks and Forests
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) regulations govern firearms in state parks, forests, and management areas. Hunting with firearms is permitted in designated areas during open seasons with the appropriate licenses. Outside of lawful hunting activities, DEM regulations restrict the discharge of firearms in state recreational areas. Persons with a valid LCCW may carry a concealed handgun in state parks, as Rhode Island's preemption statute (RIGL 11-47-58)[3] generally prevents state agencies and municipalities from enacting firearms regulations that are more restrictive than state law. However, discharge restrictions remain enforceable as safety regulations rather than possession prohibitions.
Bars, Restaurants, and Alcohol
RIGL 11-47-52[4] prohibits carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Rhode Island does not have a blanket statutory prohibition on carrying in establishments that serve alcohol. However, the intoxication prohibition effectively limits carry in bars and restaurants where the permit holder is consuming alcohol. If you enter a restaurant that serves alcohol and do not drink, you are not violating Section 11-47-52. If you consume any amount of alcohol while carrying, you risk criminal liability. The statute does not define a specific blood alcohol threshold; any level of impairment may constitute a violation.
Private Property
Private property owners have the right to prohibit firearms on their premises. When a property owner posts signage prohibiting firearms or verbally communicates the restriction, all persons, including LCCW holders, must comply. Carrying a firearm on posted private property after notice is trespassing. Common examples include shopping malls, hospitals, private office buildings, and places of worship that have adopted no-firearms policies. Always check for posted signage before entering private establishments.
Carrying While Intoxicated
The prohibition under RIGL 11-47-52[4] deserves special emphasis. It applies at all times and in all places, not just in bars. If you are intoxicated in your own home and handle a firearm, you may be in violation. The statute applies to alcohol, controlled substances, and any combination thereof. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Conviction may also result in revocation of your LCCW.
LCCW Exemptions
An LCCW provides the legal authority to carry a concealed handgun in most public places in Rhode Island, but it does not override the prohibitions listed above. The LCCW exempts the holder from certain other requirements, such as the seven-day waiting period for handgun purchases (RIGL 11-47-35) and the waiting period for rifles and shotguns (RIGL 11-47-35.2(c)). However, for purposes of prohibited places, the LCCW confers no special access. School grounds, courthouses, federal buildings, and posted private property remain off-limits to all permit holders.
Practical Guidance
- Before leaving home: Plan your route and stops. If any destination is a prohibited place, secure your firearm in your vehicle before entering.
- Vehicle storage: When you must leave your firearm in a vehicle, lock it in the trunk or a secured container out of sight. Never leave a firearm in an unlocked or visible location in a vehicle.
- When in doubt: If you are unsure whether a location prohibits firearms, ask before entering. Err on the side of caution.
- Alcohol: The simplest rule is never to consume alcohol while carrying. If you plan to drink at any point during an outing, leave the firearm at home or locked securely in your vehicle before your first drink.