Concealed Carry in Rhode Island:
The Dual-Track System

Rhode Island operates one of the most unusual concealed carry permitting systems in the United States. Two separate statutory provisions authorize two different government bodies to issue a license or permit to carry: Section 11-47-11 the licensing authorities of a city or town, and Section 11-47-18 the Attorney General, each with its own legal standard.^[1][2]

Track 1: Local Authority (Shall-Issue)

Under RIGL 11-47-11, the licensing authorities of a city or town issue a license or permit to an eligible applicant if it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear an injury to person or property or any other proper reason for carrying, and is a suitable person to be so licensed. The statute uses mandatory language: the licensing authorities "shall" issue the license or permit upon application if it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear an injury or any other proper reason for carrying and is a suitable person. This track requires the applicant to be 21 or older with a bona fide residence or place of business in the city or town, or a bona fide residence in the United States and a permit to carry concealed issued by another state or subdivision, and to hold the qualification certificate under 11-47-15 (195 out of 300).^[1] In Gadomski v. Tavares (2015), the Rhode Island Supreme Court enforced the statutory shall-issue standard by overturning an unjustified permit denial. The court held that a "showing of need" is not a component of 11-47-11, and found the chief's stated reasons for denial were either insufficient or incorrect under the statute.^[3]

Track 2: Attorney General (May-Issue)

Under RIGL 11-47-18, the Attorney General may issue a permit upon a "proper showing of need." Unlike the local track, this is discretionary. The Attorney General's office describes the standard as a proper showing of need. The AG permit is also the only permit that authorizes open carry in Rhode Island. Non-residents who do not hold a valid out-of-state CCW may apply through this track, subject to the same proper showing of need.^[2]

Post-Bruen Implications

In NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), the Supreme Court held that New York's proper-cause requirement violates the Fourteenth Amendment by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms in public. In response, the Attorney General shared guidance on July 19, 2022 advising that the state's dual concealed carry permitting scheme is constitutional and unimpacted by Bruen. On August 1, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted summary judgment for the state in O'Neil v. Neronha, No. 1:23-cv-00070, holding that even assuming the Second Amendment text covers open carry, regulating the manner of public carry by limiting open carry while leaving concealed carry unaffected is within the Nation's historical tradition^[5]. Judge William E. Smith granted summary judgment for the state, finding that Bruen does not require states to permit open carry specifically and that the manner of public carry may be regulated so long as one lawful method of carrying remains available. The plaintiffs appealed to the First Circuit, No. 25-1814, which lists argument on July 30, 2026. The local track under 11-47-11 turns on whether it appears that the applicant has good reason to fear an injury to person or property or any other proper reason for carrying, and is a suitable person.^[4]

Practical Differences

The two tracks produce permits with different scopes. A local LCCW under 11-47-11 authorizes concealed carry only. An AG permit under 11-47-18 authorizes both concealed and open carry. Each license or permit carries a $40 fee and is valid for four years, and a local license authorizes carrying everywhere within this state. The qualification requirement (195 out of 300 on an Army "L" target at 25 yards) applies to both tracks. Despite these shared elements, the dual-track structure creates confusion for applicants, particularly regarding which authority to approach and what standard applies.

See also: LCCW Through the Attorney General (RIGL 11-47-18)

After Issuance

A license issued under RIGL 11-47-11 is valid everywhere within the state for four years, and under RIGL 11-47-12 every license or permit is valid for four years from issue unless sooner revoked. RIGL 11-47-11 requires the original permit to be delivered to the licensee, but does not state that it must be carried. Rhode Island has no reciprocity agreements with other states, and section 11-47-8(a) excepts only the holder of another state's license who is merely transporting the firearm through the state without intent to remain. Holders should verify carry laws before traveling to neighboring states.