RHODE ISLAND GUN LAWS

QUICK FACTS

Carry In Vehicle SEE DETAILS

Must Notify Officer NO

Carry In State Parks AllowedNO

No Weapons Signs EnforcedSEE DETAILS

Open Carry PermittedSEE DETAILS

Carry In Liquor Establishments YES

Constitutional Carry NO

Permit Information

Rhode Island gun laws are restrictive, making it difficult to obtain permits in this state. Permits can be issued by the local authorities or the Attorney General. The wording of the law makes the local authorities “Shall Issue” and the Attorney General “May Issue”. This will need to be cleared up by the courts. Applicants are required to explain why they need a firearm and how it will remedy their problem. They must be 21 years or older and have three typed and notarized references. Applications are filed with the local Police Chief.

states that

honor a Rhode Island permit

state permits

Rhode Island honors

CCW Reciprocity Map

rhode island

CCW license recognition

Permit honored
Permit not honored

Residential permits only
AG issued permits only

Issuing state

States that honor a rhode island permit

RESIDENT
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia

NON-RESIDENT
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia

Rhode Island honors permits from these states

Rhode Island does not honor permits/licenses from other states.

Permits/Licenses

Rhode Island is a “May Issue” & “Shall Issue” state.
Non-Resident permits available if you own a residence or business in Rhode Island.
The permit is valid for 4 years.

Must be at least 21 years old
The applicant must have a residence or place of business within the town the application is submitted in.
Or have a residence within the United States and permit/license to carry a handgun concealed upon his or her person issued by the authorities of any other state or subdivision of the United States.
The applicant has a good reason to fear an injury to his or her person or property.
The applicant has any other proper reason to be licensed.
The applicant shall be a suitable person to be so licensed.
A person prohibited from having a firearm by any state or Federal Law, or court order is not eligible to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Federal Law – Prohibits the following persons

Follow these steps to obtain a permit

Download the application under the FORMS tab.
Complete the application form. It must be printed or typed or it will be returned.
Application must be notarized.
If applying through the AG, the application must be signed or stamped by the local Police Chief or a city hall official in the city or town of the applicant’s residence.
Enclose two (2) 1” X 1” pictures of the applicant taken without headgear or glasses. This photo must be a clear, colored picture of the head and face. Please PRINT applicant’s name on the back of each picture. NO laminated photos will be accepted.
Three (3) References AND reference letters are required for new AND renewal applications and are to be submitted along with the application. All three references are to TYPE (not handwritten) a letter for the applicant pertaining to the gun permit that is SIGNED, DATED AND MUST BE NOTARIZED. Reference letters must be written by the reference, not the applicant, and cannot be identical.
Proof of qualification before a certified weapons instructor; i.e., N.R.A. Instructor or Police range instructor must be supplied along with a copy of the instructor’s NRA/FBI firearms instructor’s certification. Qualifications will only be accepted up to one year old and you cannot qualify yourself.
Two types of positive identification must be submitted, photocopied, signed and dated by a Notary Public, attesting to be true copies.
All NON-RESIDENT APPLICANTS must include a copy of the their home state permit.
All new pistol permits issued must have a full set of applicant’s fingerprints submitted on a FBI FINGERPRINT APPLICANT CARD included with the application. Fingerprint card must be signed by applicant. This is not necessary for a renewal application.
If the permit is to be used for employment, a TYPED AND SIGNED letter of explanation must be submitted on your employer’s letterhead and included with the application. Also, please include a copy of the business license as proof that the business exists.
If the permit is not for employment, a typed letter must be submitted by the applicant stating the reasons why a permit is needed on a full time basis.
All letters must be dated. They will not accept a photocopy of any signature.
Retired Police Officers must submit a letter of verification from the Chief of Police of the department which they retired from stating that they have completed 20 years of good standing.
A Forty dollar ($40.00) CHECK OR MONEY ORDER must be presented when picking up permit. DO NOT SEND A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER WITH YOUR APPLICATION.
Applicant will be notified by mail of approval or denial of permit. If approved, applicant must appear in person to pick up permit.

Off Limit Areas

Where You Can Carry

Road side rest areas
Vehicle
All areas of the state – except those listed below

Where You Cannot Carry

You cannot carry a firearm if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Details on Rhode Island Gun Laws

who issues a permit

processing time

must notify officer

no weapons signs enforced

vehicle carry

YES/NO – Without a Permit/License
You must have a valid permit/license to carry a loaded handgun in any vehicle. If you are a resident of Rhode Island and do not have a permit there are certain conditions where you can transport handguns in a vehicle;

The handguns are merchandise
The handguns are unloaded and are being transported from the place of purchase to your home or place of business
You are moving the handguns from one place of living or business to another
You are transporting the handgun to or from a target practice range (handgun must be broken down, unloaded and secured in separate container or openly carried.)

open carry

restaurant carry

state park carry

Get in Touch

Providence Police Department

Hours

Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Saturday Closed

Sunday Closed

Contact

Address 325 Washington St.

City Providence, RI 02903

Phone (401) 272-3121

Comments

January 30, 2021 Reply
George

I’m 25 clean record just wondering if u need a blue card to purchase a shotgun or ar or is that legal just to buy after a background check without a blue card ?
1. March 18, 2021 Reply
  Pawtucket
  
  You cannot purchase a fire arm of any sort without a blue card.
October 26, 2020 Reply
Adam

I have previous credit fraud and larceny charges that have both been expunged, am I good to go?
1. October 26, 2020 Reply
  Adam
  
  Both misdemeanor might I add
September 7, 2020 Reply
Skraps

I have a domestic violence charge (no assault) from 20yrs ago. No charges at all the past 15yrs. All misdemeanors. Am I allowed to purchase a gun?
1. September 29, 2020 Reply
  Tim
  
  NO but consult a lawyer! Not until your Firearm and rights are FULLY restored by the convicting state or entity. You are treated similar to a convicted felon with firearms..
March 20, 2020 Reply
Teddy

Can you buy a firearm in RI without a permit? I’m sure there is a background check… but can I just buy one for my home?
1. December 5, 2020 Reply
  Brian
  
  Yes you can buy one in RI. You must first pass the blue card test.
June 6, 2019 Reply
Dr. Anthony Distasio

Do I need a copy of my NRA certificate if I have an active permit from another state (Connecticut)? I have an active permit, but do not have a copy of my NRA certificate any longer. I have had a permit in CT for over 30 years.
June 2, 2019 Reply
Logan

Hi,
I’m a newbie.
Opinions please, any advantage or disadvantage for going through the the states AG office verses going through the local PD?
1. March 20, 2020 Reply
  Jon
  
  The AG “May” issue a permit, Local “shall” issue a permit
January 20, 2019 Reply
Angel pinero

I live in RI (own my home) but work in CT. I am originally from CT. So I have a CT issued license can I still get a gun permit in RI with a different state license.
January 20, 2019 Reply
Janet Lepore

does the blue card expire?
1. May 30, 2019 Reply
  Greg Crider
  
  No. The Blue card from the DEM never expires
2. March 5, 2021 Reply
  Robert Venticinque
  
  I bought a hand gun from D&B Antenna on N. Main St, Prov in 1996; I have the original receipt. I had to wait the safety check period before I pick up the item. Should I have received a Blue Card or any type of official state document that would serve to prove my being the rightful owner of this weapon, should that ever be raised ?

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