Rhode Island Carry Laws

Concealed Carry License Required

Rhode Island has dual-issue system. Magazine limit: 10 rounds. Open carry requires an attorney general permit; a local license covers concealed carry only.

Rhode Island has dual-issue: AG (may-issue) or local police (shall-issue). Must complete safety course. Magazine limit: 10 rounds. Since July 1, 2026, R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 11-47.2 has prohibited the manufacture, sale, offer for sale, transfer and purchase of designated 'prohibited firearms'; continued possession by people who already lawfully owned one is not prohibited, and a lawful possessor may still transfer to a federally licensed dealer or to an out-of-state person who may lawfully possess it. Open carry requires an attorney general permit under R.I. Gen. Laws §11-47-18, which authorizes carry 'whether concealed or not'; a city or town license under §11-47-11 authorizes concealed carry only, and §11-47-8 bars carrying a pistol visible or concealed without a license or permit. R.I. Gen. Laws §11-47-11.

Magazine Limit - 10 Rounds Maximum

Rhode Island: Max 10 rounds (effective June 2022) Possessing large-capacity magazines may be a crime.

MAGAZINE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS
RHODE ISLAND LAW
RESTRICTED: Max 10 rounds (effective June 2022)
FEDERAL FACILITIES
Note: Some federal facilities may have their own restrictions regardless of state law.

Prohibited Places - Where You Cannot Carry

Rhode Island: Carry prohibited on the grounds of public and private elementary and secondary schools, per R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-60 (1–5 years' imprisonment or $500–$5,000 fine). The ban does not cover colleges/universities, nor an unloaded firearm in a locked container or rack in a motor vehicle. No other location is barred by state weapons statute. Federal law separately restricts K-12 school zones and federal facilities.

PROHIBITED PLACES - WHERE YOU CANNOT CARRY
Rhode Island

Rhode Island: Carry prohibited on the grounds of public and private elementary and secondary schools, per R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-60 (1–5 years' imprisonment or $500–$5,000 fine). The ban does not cover colleges/universities, nor an unloaded firearm in a locked container or rack in a motor vehicle. No other location is barred by state weapons statute. Federal law separately restricts K-12 school zones and federal facilities.
Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-60 (possession of firearms on school grounds).

Duty to Retreat - Castle Doctrine Only

Rhode Island: Castle Doctrine applies (home defense). In public, you may have a duty to retreat if safe before using force.

DUTY TO RETREAT - CASTLE DOCTRINE ONLY
Rhode Island

Rhode Island: Castle Doctrine applies (home defense). In public, you may have a duty to retreat if safe before using force.

Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-8-8 (Injury or death — Defense).

Red Flag Law - ERPO in Effect

Rhode Island: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 8-8.3).

RED FLAG LAW - ERPO IN EFFECT
Rhode Island

Rhode Island: An Extreme Risk Protection Order (red flag) law is in effect (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 8-8.3).

Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8.3-7 (Extreme Risk Protection Orders — termination, expiration, renewal).

Duty to Inform - No Statutory Duty

Rhode Island: No statutory duty to tell an officer you are carrying or to present your permit on demand — but under R.I.G.L. 11-47-27 carrying is presumed unlawful until the carrier shows a fact making it lawful, so producing your permit is how you establish lawful carry if questioned.

DUTY TO INFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT
RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island: No statutory duty to tell an officer you are carrying or to present your permit on demand — but under R.I.G.L. 11-47-27 carrying is presumed unlawful until the carrier shows a fact making it lawful, so producing your permit is how you establish lawful carry if questioned.

Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-47-8 and 11-47-11 — no inform/answer/display provision (negative finding).

No-Carry Signs - Not Criminal to Ignore

Rhode Island: no statute gives private 'no firearms' signs force of law; criminal exposure arises from willful trespass after being forbidden by the owner or the owner's authorized agent (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-44-26, up to $1,000 fine and one year), so the practical rule is that you must leave when told.

"NO FIREARMS" SIGN LAW
RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island: no statute gives private 'no firearms' signs force of law; criminal exposure arises from willful trespass after being forbidden by the owner or the owner's authorized agent (R.I. Gen. Laws 11-44-26, up to $1,000 fine and one year), so the practical rule is that you must leave when told.

Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws 11-44-26 (willful trespass after being forbidden by the owner or authorized agent; up to $1,000 / 1 year); no firearms-sign statute.

Vehicle Transport - Check Permit Requirements

Rhode Island: With valid permit, carry in vehicle generally permitted. Without permit, check state requirements.

VEHICLE TRANSPORT - CHECK PERMIT REQUIREMENTS
Rhode Island

Rhode Island: With valid permit, carry in vehicle generally permitted. Without permit, check state requirements.

Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8 (License or permit required for carrying pistol).