Sawed-Off Rifles and Shotguns

Rhode Island General Laws Section 11-47-2^[1] provides the statutory definitions for sawed-off rifles and sawed-off shotguns. These definitions establish the dimensional thresholds that determine whether a long gun falls into the prohibited category, and they align closely with the federal definitions found in the National Firearms Act.

Statutory Definitions

A sawed-off shotgun is any shotgun with an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel length of less than 18 inches. A sawed-off rifle is any rifle with an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel length of less than 16 inches. Under the federal rule, barrel length is measured from the muzzle to the face of the closed bolt, breech, or breech block with the rifle or shotgun cocked. Overall length for a weapon made from a rifle or shotgun is measured between its extreme ends along a line parallel to the bore.^[2]

Prohibition and Enforcement

Under Rhode Island law, no person may have a sawed-off shotgun or sawed-off rifle in his or her possession or under his or her control (RIGL 11-47-8(b)). This prohibition applies regardless of whether the weapon was originally manufactured with a short barrel or was subsequently modified. The offense is having the weapon in one's possession or under one's control, so a cut-down rifle or shotgun is unlawful to possess as soon as it meets the definition, whether or not it is used or displayed. A sawed-off rifle or shotgun held unlawfully is contraband. No property right exists in it, and RIGL 11-47-22(a) declares it forfeited to the state. When seized, it is placed in the custody of the superintendent of state police or the chief of police of the city or town, and if it is not stolen, the owner cannot be readily ascertained within 90 days and it is no longer needed as evidence, the department may destroy it or dispose of it as RIGL 11-47-22 provides.

Relationship to Federal Law

The federal National Firearms Act defines firearm in 26 U.S.C. 5845(a) to include a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches and a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, and 26 U.S.C. 5841 requires their registration.^[3] Since October 9, 2026, ATF does not enforce that registration or the prior approval to make or transfer short-barreled rifles and shotguns, but a person must still file ATF Form 20 before transporting one across state lines.^[4] Rhode Island's prohibition in RIGL 11-47-8(b) operates independently of the federal registration system. Section 11-47-8(b) contains no exception for a firearm registered under the National Firearms Act.

Penalties

Violations are treated as felony offenses under Chapter 11-47. Penalties include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of the prohibited weapon. Under RIGL 11-47-3.2, using a firearm while committing or attempting a crime of violence carries a consecutive ten-year term for a first offense.