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 defined as any shotgun with a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length, or any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if that weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. A sawed-off rifle is defined as any rifle with a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, or any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if the weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches. The measurements are taken from the breech face to the muzzle for barrel length and from the end of the stock to the end of the barrel for overall length.[2]
Prohibition and Enforcement
The possession, sale, transfer, and manufacture of sawed-off rifles and sawed-off shotguns is prohibited under Rhode Island law. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the weapon was originally manufactured with a short barrel or was subsequently modified. The act of cutting down a rifle or shotgun barrel to fall below the statutory threshold is itself a criminal offense, even if the resulting weapon is never used or displayed. Law enforcement agencies may seize and destroy any sawed-off weapon encountered during the course of their duties.
Relationship to Federal Law
The federal National Firearms Act (NFA) regulates short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns through a registration and tax stamp system under 26 U.S.C. Section 5845.[3] Unlike many states that allow civilian possession of NFA items with a valid federal tax stamp, Rhode Island's prohibition operates independently. A person who holds a federal NFA registration for a short-barreled rifle or shotgun may still face state prosecution for possession within Rhode Island.
Penalties
Violations are treated as felony offenses under Chapter 11-47. Penalties include imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of the prohibited weapon. The severity of the penalty may increase if the sawed-off weapon is used in the commission of another crime.