Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 11-47-8, “no person shall, without a license or permit… carry a pistol or revolver in any vehicle or conveyance or on or about his or her person whether visible or concealed, except in his or her dwelling house or place of business or on land possessed by him or her…”.

The penalties for carrying a pistol or revolver in Rhode Island without a license or permit are extremely severe and include imprisonment for not less than one (1) nor more than ten (10) years and a fine of up to $10,000.00.

Under Rhode Island law, there are two provisions by which a person may obtain a license to carry a firearm.  R.I.G.L. 11-47-11 allows for the granting of a license at the discretion of police chief of any city or town.  R.I.G.L. 11-47-18 provides that the Rhode Island Attorney General may issue a license or permit to carry a firearm.  It can be argued that these discretionary provisions of Rhode Island law are unconstitutional.  The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution declares “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”  In addition, Article I, Section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution states, “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”  The recent United States Supreme Court case of New York State Rifle & Pistol, Assn. Inc., v. Bruen (2022), held that “New York State’s proper-cause requirement violates the 14th Amendment by preventing law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms in public for self-defense.”  

The penalties for carrying a firearm in Rhode Island without a license or permit are extremely harsh.  If you have been charged with carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit in Rhode Island, contact Rhode Island’s Gun Lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert H. Humphrey immediately. 

See what can be done about the criminal charges against you by contacting a Rhode Island criminal attorney to schedule an initial consultation today!