State Gun Laws

Under Rhode Island law, as part of a final restraining order, the judge can order the abuser to give up any guns s/he has and not to have, buy, or try to get a gun while the restraining order is in effect.¹

There is one exception, however. If the abuser is a police officer, an active member of the military, or in another job where s/he must carry a gun while on duty, s/he can keep a gun only while working. At all other times, that gun must be stored at his/her place of employment.²

Even if your order doesn’t mention guns, Rhode Island law makes it illegal for anyone with a final domestic violence restraining order against him/her to have or buy a gun.³ Federal law also forbids an abuser from having a gun if there is a restraining order against him/her that meets certain requirements, even if the judge doesn’t mention guns in the order.⁴ Go to the Federal Gun Laws page to get more information.

¹ R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-8.1-3(a)(4), (b), (c); 15-15-3(a)(4), (b), (c)
² R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 8-8.1-3(k); 15-15-3(k)
³ R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-5(b)
⁴ 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(8); 921(a)(32)