Rhode Island law treats a firearm carried in a vehicle the same as a firearm carried on one's person for licensing purposes. Under RIGL 11-47-8, a license or permit is required to carry a pistol or revolver on one's person or "under one's control in a vehicle."[1] This means that a person who places a loaded handgun in their car, whether in the glove compartment, center console, or anywhere else in the vehicle, must hold a valid LCCW.
Carrying with an LCCW
A person who holds a valid LCCW issued under RIGL 11-47-11 (local authority) or RIGL 11-47-18 (Attorney General) may carry a loaded, concealed handgun in their vehicle. The firearm may be on the person or stored within the vehicle while under the permit holder's control. The same rules that govern on-person carry apply: the permit must be carried on the person, the firearm must remain concealed (unless the permit was issued by the AG under 11-47-18), and prohibited places restrictions still apply.
Transport Without a Permit
RIGL 11-47-10 provides an important exception to the permit requirement for transporting firearms to and from specific lawful activities. A person who does not hold an LCCW may transport a firearm to or from a target range, shooting competition, or other place where the firearm is lawfully used, provided the firearm is unloaded and stored in a way that prevents ready access during transport.[2] Best practice is to transport the unloaded firearm in a locked case, separate from ammunition, in the trunk or a locked storage area of the vehicle.
Long Guns in Vehicles
Rifles and shotguns are not subject to the LCCW requirement, as the permit system applies specifically to pistols and revolvers. However, § 11-47-51 prohibits carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun upon or along any public highway, road, lane, or trail. This restriction applies to loaded long guns in vehicles on public roadways. Transporting an unloaded long gun in a vehicle to or from hunting, a shooting range, or other lawful activity is permitted under general transport provisions. Hunters should also be aware of Department of Environmental Management regulations regarding loaded firearms in vehicles during hunting seasons.
Broader Transport Provisions: § 11-47-9(a)
Section 11-47-9(a)[3] provides broader transport provisions beyond the target range exception in § 11-47-10. Lawful transport without an LCCW is permitted in the following circumstances: from place of purchase to residence, from residence to place of business, to and from a gunsmith, and to gun buy-back programs. For lawful transport under this provision, the firearm must be unloaded, ammunition must not be readily accessible from the passenger compartment, and the firearm must be in a locked container if the vehicle has no separate compartment (such as a trunk).
Common Misconceptions
A frequent source of confusion is the belief that keeping a handgun unloaded or in a locked container in a vehicle eliminates the need for a permit. Rhode Island law does not provide a general exception for unloaded firearms in vehicles. The exceptions under RIGL 11-47-9(a) and 11-47-10 are limited to specific activities and destinations. A person who keeps an unloaded handgun in their vehicle for general self-defense purposes, without an LCCW and without traveling to or from a qualifying activity, risks prosecution under RIGL 11-47-8.[1]
Sources
[1] Justia. RIGL 11-47-8, License or Permit Required for Carrying Pistol
Chapter 11-47, Section 11-47-8
[2] Justia. RIGL 11-47-10, License or Permit Not Required to Carry to Target Range
Chapter 11-47, Section 11-47-10
[3] Justia. RIGL 11-47-9, Persons Exempt from Restrictions
Chapter 11-47, Section 11-47-9