Rhode Island Gun Laws
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms. Though the relevance of such a liberty has been hotly contested, owning and carrying firearms is legal in all 50 states. However, each state has its own laws and procedures for purchasing and using a weapon. This is to ensure that individuals who choose to use guns for recreation or protection are knowledgeable about their decisions.
Owning a Firearm
Here are the applicable Rhode Island gun laws. To lawfully own a handgun (pistol or revolver) in the state of Rhode Island an individual must be at least 18 years of age. It is not required to have a permit or a license to purchase or own a firearm. To carry a concealed weapon however, there is an application process that ultimately must be signed by the state Attorney General.
For shotguns or rifles individuals are NOT required to
· Have a license to carry
· Have a permit to purchase
· Register their shotgun or rifle
Applying for Concealed Carry
The chief of your local police department must sign your application to verify your residency before submitting it to the Attorney General. To obtain the signature you may be required to complete a National Rifle Association Safety Course administered by a certified NRA instructor within the state of Rhode Island. After taking the course you may also be required by the BCIS to get your fingerprints on the F.B.I card system.
The fingerprinting process will take four to six weeks. After completing the prerequisites and finally submitting your application to the state Attorney General, you must allow up to ninety days for a response. The entire process could take four to six months before receiving a response. The Attorney General may deny your application based on a variety of reasons including your answers to the complicated questionnaire.
Concealed Carry on Campus
At most universities across the country it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon onto the campus. After an upheaval of violence at schools like Virginia Tech in which a student opened fire on classrooms, killing several students before taking his own life, gun owners have started a movement across the country to change laws. Rhode Island advocates of concealed carry on campus propose that individuals who are licensed to carry a concealed weapon be allowed to do so on college campuses.
For more information on Rhode Island gun laws or criminal weapons charges, contact Rhode Island criminal defense lawyer James C. Powderly at www.rhodeislandscriminaldefenselawyer.com
Joseph Devine
