Prohibited Places:
Where You Cannot Carry

Holding a valid LCCW does not grant unrestricted authority to carry a firearm everywhere in Rhode Island. Statutory provisions, including RIGL 11-47-60 for school grounds and 18 U.S.C. 930 for federal facilities, prohibit firearms in specific locations even for licensed carriers.^[1]

Schools and School Grounds

RIGL 11-47-60 prohibits possessing any firearm or other weapon on the grounds of a public or private elementary or secondary school, punishable by one to five years of imprisonment. The statute defines school grounds to cover school property, portions of any building, stadium, or other structure on school grounds being used for an activity sponsored by or through a school, and school-provided transportation. The prohibition applies regardless of whether the person holds a valid LCCW. Violation is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one year and not more than five years, or by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. The penalty is disjunctive, so a court that imposes imprisonment must impose at least one year, but a fine-only sentence is also available. General prohibited-place violations under RIGL 11-47-26 carry only a five-year maximum with no stated minimum. Under subsection (b), exemptions exist for persons exempt under RIGL 11-47-9, peace officers, retired law enforcement officers permitted under RIGL 11-47-18(b) or 18 U.S.C. 926B and 926C, individuals providing security services to a school under contract, and officially recognized and sanctioned activities such as firearm instruction or safety courses, government-sponsored military programs such as ROTC, interscholastic shooting or marksmanship events, military history and firearms collection courses, and the use of blank guns in theatrical or athletic events. There is no exception based on authorization from a school principal or school committee. Under subsection (c), the section does not apply to colleges, universities, or junior colleges. Under subsection (d), the section does not apply to a firearm that is not loaded and is in a locked container or a locked rack in a motor vehicle. Remaining in the vehicle or keeping the firearm out of sight does not satisfy this exception.^[1]

State and National Parks and Forests

Firearms are generally prohibited in Rhode Island state parks, state beaches, and state management areas under Department of Environmental Management administrative rules. Federal facilities within Rhode Island, including national wildlife refuges, follow federal firearms regulations. Hunting is permitted in designated areas during designated seasons under DEM rules, but carry of firearms outside of lawful hunting activity is restricted in these locations.

Airports and Federal Facilities

Federal law makes it a crime to knowingly possess a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility, a building or part of one owned or leased by the federal government where federal employees are regularly present to perform their duties (18 U.S.C. 930), and federal screening rules keep firearms out of the sterile area beyond the airport checkpoint. T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick follows TSA regulations. Firearms may be transported through the airport in checked luggage in compliance with TSA rules. Except for authorized carriage under TSA rules, firearms may not be carried on one's person or in carry-on baggage once screening begins, in a sterile area, or while boarding or aboard an aircraft subject to screening. Under 18 U.S.C. 930, knowingly possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a federal facility or a federal court facility is a crime.

While Under the Influence

RIGL 11-47-52 makes it unlawful to carry or transport any firearm in this state when intoxicated or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs. This prohibition applies to all persons, including LCCW holders. The statute does not define a specific blood alcohol threshold; instead, it uses the general "under the influence" standard. Section 11-47-52 sets no penalty of its own, so the chapter default under RIGL 11-47-26 applies. Violation is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. This provision is discussed in detail in a separate article on carrying while intoxicated.^[2]

Private Property

Private property owners in Rhode Island have the right to prohibit firearms on their premises. A business, restaurant, or other private establishment may post signage or verbally communicate that firearms are not permitted. Under RIGL 11-44-26, a person may face trespass penalties for willfully entering another person's land after being forbidden to do so, or remaining there without a legitimate purpose after such a warning. LCCW holders should respect the wishes of private property owners and be prepared to secure their firearm in a vehicle or leave the premises.

Pending: Wolford v. Lopez (U.S. Supreme Court)

Wolford v. Lopez, No. 24-1046, came to the Supreme Court from the Ninth Circuit against the Attorney General of Hawaii and was argued on January 20, 2026. The Supreme Court decided the case on June 25, 2026, reversing the Ninth Circuit's judgment and remanding. Although the case arose under Hawaii law, the Court's ruling concerns how states may designate places where carry is prohibited. How the June 25, 2026 decision bears on Rhode Island's prohibited-place provisions, including those covering parks and beaches, depends on the opinion, which this page does not yet summarize.^[3]