H7755 / S2726 (2026): Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act -- Mandatory Safety Training

Two companion bills -- H7755 (introduced February 12, 2026) and S2726 (introduced February 27, 2026) -- would require all persons seeking to purchase a firearm in Rhode Island to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course ^[1].

What the Bill Would Require

Under the proposed "Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act," all prospective firearm purchasers (except active police and military) would need to:

- Complete a basic firearm safety training course approved by the Attorney General
- Pass a live-fire proficiency component
- Complete modules on safe storage, Rhode Island firearms laws, disengagement tactics, and suicide prevention
- Obtain a training certificate valid for 5 years

The Attorney General would maintain a list of approved courses and instructors.

How This Differs from Current Requirements

Rhode Island currently requires only a "Blue Card" (firearms safety certificate) for handgun purchases, which involves passing a written safety exam administered by the DEM. The proposed law would go significantly further by mandating live-fire training, a broader curriculum, and a 5-year renewal cycle. This would make Rhode Island's training requirement among the most comprehensive in the country, comparable to Massachusetts's new Chapter 135 Basic Firearms Safety (BFS) course requirement.

Current Status

H7755 was heard by the House Judiciary Committee on April 8, 2026, and the companion S2726 was held for further study by the Senate Judiciary Committee ^[2]. Neither bill passed before the 2026 regular session adjourned sine die on June 11, 2026. The bills would need to be reintroduced in a future session.

What This Means

If enacted, the purchase process would change from: (1) obtain Blue Card, (2) apply to buy, to: (1) complete approved safety training course including live-fire, (2) obtain certificate, (3) apply to buy. The 5-year certificate validity means the training would need periodic renewal.