Firearms Licensing

Rhode Island firearms licensing requirements, procedures, and regulations.

Start here: How to Apply for a RI Concealed Carry Permit (LCCW)

Renewing: Renewing Your LCCW in Rhode Island | RI Gun Laws

Concealed Carry Permits

The dual-track LCCW system: local shall-issue permits and Attorney General may-issue permits.

Firearms Qualification Requirements (195/300 Score)
RIGL Section 11-47-15 requires all LCCW applicants to demonstrate proficiency with a handgun by completing a qualification course of fire. The standard requires a score of 195 or better out of a possible 300 points, firing 30 consecutive rounds of slow fire at 25 yards on the Army "L" target with a pistol or revolver of a caliber equal to or larger than the one the applicant intends to carry. This requirement applies to both the local police chief track and the Attorney General track.
How to Apply for a Rhode Island Concealed Carry Permit
This guide covers Rhode Island concealed carry eligibility at 21, the local shall-issue track under RIGL 11-47-11 and the Attorney General track under RIGL 11-47-18, the 195 out of 300 qualification, the Attorney General's application packet, the $40 fee and the four-year term.
LCCW Renewal Process
Rhode Island LCCWs are valid for four years. RIGL Section 11-47-12 sets a $40 fee for each license or permit and a four-year term, and Section 11-47-15 requires qualification with a score of 195 or better out of 300 before a license or permit is issued. A renewal application goes to one of the same two authorities that issue an original license or permit, a city or town licensing authority under Section 11-47-11 or the Attorney General under Section 11-47-18.

Blue Card and Purchase Authorization

DEM handgun safety course, Blue Card requirements, and purchase authorization process.

DEM Handgun Safety Course
A person applying to purchase a pistol or revolver must present a pistol/revolver safety certificate issued by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), which certifies completion of the department's basic safety course, unless exempt. Proof of passing the DEM basic hunter safety course is equivalent to the certificate. A person who has reason to believe they do not need the course may apply to the DEM to take an objective test on its subject matter instead. A person receiving a passing grade on the test is issued the pistol/revolver safety certificate (Blue Card), which is presented when buying a handgun.

Dealer Licensing

Requirements and procedures for obtaining a Rhode Island firearms dealer license.

Dealer Licensing in Rhode Island (Section 11-47-38)
RIGL Sections 11-47-38 through 11-47-40 establish the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a Rhode Island firearms dealer license. Dealers must obtain a state license under Section 11-47-38 and keep a register of sales under Section 11-47-40, and federal law separately requires a federal firearms license.