STATE
RHODE ISLAND GUN LAWS
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.
Scorecard Grade
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 2024, Rhode Island had the fifth lowest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 54 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every seven days. Sixty-three percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 35% are gun homicides. In Rhode Island, the rate of gun deaths remained stable from 2015 to 2024, while gun deaths rose 15% nationwide over this same time period.
EXPLORE RHODE ISLAND’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
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
- Assault Weapons Restrictions
What Rhode Island Is Missing
- Bulk firearm purchase restrictions
- Handgun design safety standards
- Local authority to regulate firearms
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?