State Gun Laws

Rhode Island state law says that a person cannot have or buy a firearm if s/he has been convicted of or has pled “no contest” to certain crimes. Firearm possession if prohibited if the abuser:

• has been convicted of a “crime of violence” in Rhode Island or elsewhere. “Crimes of violence” include any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit any of them:

  • murder;
  • manslaughter;
  • rape;
  • first or second degree sexual assault;
  • first or second degree child molestation;
  • kidnapping;
  • first or second degree arson;
  • mayhem;
  • robbery;
  • burglary;
  • breaking and entering;
  • any felony violation involving the illegal manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance; possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance; or conspiracy to commit manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance;
  • assault with a dangerous weapon;
  • assault or battery involving grave bodily injury;
  • assault with intent to commit any offense punishable as a felony;
  • conviction of a domestic violence offense punishable as a felony;¹
• was convicted of –or pled “no contest” (“nolo contendere”) to– in Rhode Island or elsewhere:
  • a felony domestic violence crime that is listed here;² or
  • one of the following misdemeanor domestic violence crimes:
    • simple assault;
    • cyberstalking and cyberharassment;
    • violation of a protective order (as explained in section(a)(10)); or
    • disorderly conduct but only if the offense involves the:
      • the use of force;
      • the attempted use of force; or
      • the threatened use of a dangerous weapon;
• is a fugitive from justice;³
• is in “community confinement” or otherwise subject to electronic surveillance or monitoring devices as a condition of parole.⁴

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun if s/he has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence misdemeanor. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

¹ RI Gen. Laws §§ 11-47-5(a); 11-47-2(5)
² RI Gen. Laws §§ 11-47-5(a); 12-29-5; 12-29-2
³ ​RI Gen. Laws § 11-47-5(a)
⁴ RI Gen. Laws § 11-47-5(c)