How to Buy a Handgun in Rhode Island

Rhode Island imposes specific requirements on the purchase of handguns that go beyond federal law. Under RIGL 11-47-35, a buyer of a pistol or revolver must present to the seller a safety certificate issued by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), commonly called a "Blue Card," and under RIGL 11-47-35.1 that section does not apply to persons licensed under RIGL 11-47-11^[1]. The minimum age to purchase a handgun is 21, except for persons exempt under RIGL 11-47-37.1, such as full-time police officers.

Background Check Process

Handgun purchases covered by RIGL 11-47-35 require an application that the chief of police of the buyer's city or town, or the Rhode Island State Police for Exeter residents and non-residents, checks against the state disqualifier provisions, and the section does not apply to persons licensed under RIGL 11-47-11. The buyer completes and signs the application in triplicate and delivers it to the seller, who forwards copies to the chief of police of the buyer's city or town, or to the State Police when the buyer lives in Exeter or out of state. The application triggers a background check by the receiving police authority against the state disqualifier provisions of RIGL 11-47-5, 11-47-6, 11-47-7, and 11-47-23^[1]. For purchases from a licensed dealer, the dealer separately runs a federal check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The state application process applies to purchases from both licensed dealers and private sellers.

Seven-Day Waiting Period

Rhode Island requires seven days between application and delivery for handgun purchases covered by RIGL 11-47-35, and persons licensed under RIGL 11-47-11 are exempt under 11-47-35.1^[1]. The waiting period runs from 12:00 noon of the day following the day of application. The handgun may not be delivered until seven days have elapsed from that point, even if the background check is completed sooner. LCCW holders are exempt from the handgun waiting period under § 11-47-35.1^[4], which provides that the provisions of § 11-47-35 shall not apply to persons licensed under § 11-47-11 (local LCCW). LCCW holders are also exempt from the rifle and shotgun waiting period under § 11-47-35.2(c)^[2].

No Registration Requirement

Rhode Island explicitly prohibits government firearm registries. RIGL 11-47-41^[3] bars any government agency of the state or its political subdivisions from keeping any list or register of privately owned firearms or their owners, with an exception for firearms used in committing a crime of violence and for persons convicted of a crime of violence. This means that while a background check is required at the point of purchase, there is no ongoing registration obligation for the owner.

Blue Card Requirement

The DEM handgun safety certificate certifies completion of a basic pistol/revolver safety course administered by the department, and a person who believes they do not need the course may instead pass an objective test the department prepares. Buyers who hold a concealed carry license issued by a city or town under § 11-47-11 are exempt from the Blue Card requirement, because § 11-47-35.1 provides that the provisions of § 11-47-35 do not apply to persons licensed under § 11-47-11. The exemption in § 11-47-35.1 does not name the Attorney General permit issued under § 11-47-18. No person is required to complete the basic pistol/revolver safety course more than once, but a person who is unable to produce the safety certificate must take the course again unless the person provides evidence to the department that the person has successfully completed the course.

See also: How to Buy a Rifle or Shotgun in Rhode Island