Rhode Island gun laws

Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.

Carry

Permitless (constitutional) carry: No, a permit is required to carry concealed
A license is required to carry a concealed pistol.
Open carry: A license or permit is required to carry a pistol or revolver outside your home, business, or land, whether visible or concealed (R.I.G.L. 11-47-8(a)). Open-carry permits come only from the Attorney General, are discretionary, and require a showing of need (11-47-18). Source
Permits: Rhode Island permit guide

Vehicle transport

Carrying a pistol or revolver in a vehicle requires a license or permit (11-47-8(a)). There are exceptions for trips to or from a range with the gun unloaded and broken down or in a container (11-47-10), and for out-of-state licensees passing through. Source

Places where carry is banned

School grounds, including school-provided transportation (11-47-60). Other places may also apply. Source

Magazines and assault weapons

Magazine capacity limit: Yes, 10 rounds
Assault-weapon restrictions: Yes, a general ban on sale, manufacture and transfer

Duty to inform

Not confirmed. Check with Local police chief/licensing authority or Attorney General.

Stand your ground and castle doctrine

Not on NCSL's list of states with no duty to retreat. Castle-doctrine rules at home may still apply. Not confirmed. Check with Local police chief/licensing authority or Attorney General.

Red-flag law

Yes. Courts can issue extreme risk protection orders.

Reciprocity

Rhode Island does not honor other states' permits for carry in the state; they cover only travel through it.

Does not honor other states' permits. Rhode Island honors other permits only for travel through the state.

Official reciprocity information

Check whether Rhode Island honors your permit

Sources

Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.