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Rhode Island

RI
moderate

Firearm Regulations

Assault Weapon Ban
Yes (purchase ban, July 2026)
Mag Capacity Limit
No
Permit to Purchase
Yes (handguns — blue card)
Firearm Registration
Illegal
Concealed Carry
Hybrid Shall/May Issue
Open Carry
Yes (with permit)
Red Flag Law
Yes
Background Check (Private)
Yes
NFA Weapons
All NFA banned (except Class III FFL)
State Preemption
Yes

Key Notes

Firearm registration explicitly illegal by statute. DEM safety exam ("blue card") required to purchase handguns. All NFA items prohibited for civilians.

  • •Yes (handguns — blue card) Permit to Purchase — A DEM (Department of Environmental Management) safety exam, known as the 'blue card,' is required before purchasing a handgun.
  • •Illegal (Firearm Registration) — Rhode Island explicitly prohibits firearm registration by statute. It is illegal for the state to maintain a registry of firearm owners.
  • •All NFA banned (except Class III FFL) — All NFA items (SBRs, SBS, suppressors, machine guns, destructive devices) are prohibited for civilians. Only Class III Federal Firearms Licensees may possess them.
  • •Yes (purchase ban, July 2026) Assault Weapon Ban — An assault weapon purchase ban takes effect in July 2026. Possession of assault weapons already owned before that date will remain legal.
  • •Hybrid Shall/May Issue (Concealed Carry) — Rhode Island has a dual-track system where both the AG (may issue) and local police chiefs (shall issue) can issue permits, creating inconsistent access.
  • •7-Day Waiting Period — A mandatory 7-day waiting period applies to all firearm purchases.

Last updated January 15, 2026

PASC

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