Rhode Island Transportation Laws for Concealed Carry

Overview

Rhode Island law regulates the transportation of pistols and revolvers through R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-8 (general restrictions on carrying) and § 11-47-9 (exemptions from those restrictions). Specific transport exemptions allow lawful movement of firearms between designated locations under defined conditions.

Transportation Without a Permit (§ 11-47-9(a))

Rhode Island law exempts from the carrying restrictions of § 11-47-8 any person transporting a pistol or revolver unloaded between the following locations:

• From the place of purchase to their residence
• From their residence to their place of business
• From their place of business to their residence
• To a federal firearms licensee (FFL) for the purpose of sale
• To or from a bona fide gunsmith or firearms repair facility
• To any police station or other location designated as a site of a bona fide "gun buy-back" program

Required Conditions for Transport

1. The pistol or revolver must be unloaded
2. Ammunition must not be readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of the vehicle
3. For vehicles without a separate compartment (e.g., SUVs, hatchbacks, pickup trucks without a covered bed): the firearm or the ammunition must be stored in a locked container

"...said pistol or revolver is unloaded and any ammunition for said pistol or revolver is not readily or directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such vehicle while transporting same and further provided, that in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the passenger compartment, the firearm or the ammunition shall be stored in a locked container."

• R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-9(a)

Transportation With a Concealed Carry Permit (§ 11-47-9(b))

Persons who hold a valid Rhode Island concealed carry permit (issued under § 11-47-11 by a local licensing authority or under § 11-47-18 by the Attorney General) are among those exempted under § 11-47-9 and have the right to carry concealed firearms everywhere within the state.

However, this right does not extend to:

• Persons transporting firearms as merchandise
• Persons transporting firearms as household or business goods

Key Statute References

Recent Legislative History

Section 11-47-9 has been amended multiple times in recent years:

• P.L. 2022, ch. 378 & ch. 379 - Effective June 29, 2022
• P.L. 2025, ch. 165 & ch. 166 - Effective June 24, 2025 (added Space Force to military exemptions)
• P.L. 2025, ch. 196 & ch. 197 - Effective June 26, 2025

Federal Protections: Peaceable Journey (FOPA)

Under the federal Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA), 18 U.S.C. § 926A, persons traveling through Rhode Island may transport firearms if:

• The firearm is unloaded
• Neither the firearm nor ammunition is readily accessible from the passenger compartment
• The person may lawfully possess the firearm at both their origin and destination

Note: FOPA provides a federal safe harbor for interstate travel but is a defense to prosecution, not immunity from arrest. Rhode Island's own transport requirements closely mirror FOPA's conditions.

Important Considerations

• The transport exemption in § 11-47-9(a) applies only to the specific routes listed (purchase-to-home, home-to-business, etc.) - transporting a firearm to other destinations without a permit may not be covered
• The "regular and/or ordinary transportation of pistols or revolvers as merchandise" is separately exempted but does not confer a right to carry concealed
• Rhode Island law specifically addresses pistols and revolvers in these transport provisions; long guns are subject to different regulations
• Permit holders should be aware of location-based restrictions that may apply even with a valid permit (e.g., federal buildings, schools under federal law)