Rhode Island’s gun safety laws are more comprehensive than most other states, but lawmakers can still do more to save lives from gun violence.
In recent years, Rhode Island enacted an extreme risk protection order law, laws to curb gun trafficking, and a law restricting guns from K-12 schools. In 2023, Rhode Island had the fourth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 52 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every seven days. Sixty-one percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 36% are gun homicides. In Rhode Island, the rate of gun deaths increased 62% from 2014 to 2023, compared to a 33% increase nationwide.
What Rhode Island Does Well
- Universal background checks
- Partial gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Certain domestic violence gun laws
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Certain open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- Community violence intervention funding
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Minimum age laws
What Rhode Island Is Missing
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Handgun design safety standards
- Local authority to regulate firearms
SPOTLIGHT
GUN LAW SCORECARD
The data is clear: States with stronger gun laws have less gun violence. See how your state compares in our annual ranking.
Read MoreEXPLORE RHODE ISLAND’S GUN LAWS
WHO CAN HAVE A GUN
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
GUNS IN PUBLIC
HARDWARE & AMMUNITION
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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We’re in this together. To build a safer America—one where children and parents in every neighborhood can learn, play, work, and worship without fear of gun violence—we need you standing beside us in this fight.
