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H 7755Criminal Justice

Criminal Offenses - Weapons - Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act

This bill expands the seven-day waiting period to all firearms and mandates an eight-hour safety course with live-fire training.

Held for study
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 12, 2026Committee House Judiciary

Plain-English Summary

The "Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act" significantly changes the requirements for purchasing firearms in Rhode Island. It expands the existing seven-day waiting period and application process, which previously applied primarily to handguns, to now include rifles and shotguns. The bill transfers the authority for certifying firearm safety training from the Department of Environmental Management to the Office of the Attorney General. Additionally, it mandates that the safety course be at least eight hours long, include live-fire training, and cover topics such as suicide prevention and de-escalation.

For younger readers

This new law changes the rules for buying guns. Before, there were strict waiting times mostly for small guns like handguns. Now, if someone wants to buy a big gun like a rifle or shotgun, they also have to wait seven days before they can take it home. The law also changes the class people must take to buy a gun. This class used to be short, but now it will be a whole day long (eight hours). People in the class will have to practice shooting a real gun safely and pass a written test to finish.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Firearm purchasersFirearm dealersFirearm safety instructorsShooting rangesLocal Police Departments
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Major risk. The expansion of waiting periods and the imposition of an onerous eight-hour training requirement with live-fire mandates may be challenged under the Supreme Court's *Bruen* standard. If these requirements are found to lack historical analogues or are deemed to create an objective impediment that effectively denies the right to bear arms—particularly due to cost or availability of training—provisions of this bill effectively could be ruled unconstitutional.

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Expands the seven-day waiting period to all firearms, creating a universal "cooling-off" period that may help reduce impulsive acts of domestic violence and suicide.
  • Mandates a comprehensive eight-hour training curriculum that includes de-escalation tactics and suicide prevention, promoting a culture of community safety and responsible behavior.
  • Centralizes oversight under the Attorney General and removes certain loopholes, ensuring more consistent enforcement of safety standards across the state.
  • The requirement for an eight-hour course and live-fire training creates significant financial and time barriers, disproportionately restricting firearm access for low-income and working-class individuals.
  • Increases the involvement of the police and the Attorney General in the licensing process, which strengthens the carceral state and could lead to discriminatory enforcement against marginalized communities.
  • The live-fire mandate may be difficult to fulfill for urban residents who lack access to shooting ranges, creating a geographic inequity in the ability to comply with the law.
For Conservatives
  • Establishes a rigorous standardized testing and live-fire requirement, ensuring that firearm owners possess demonstrated competence and handling skills.
  • Includes a grandfather clause that recognizes existing safety certificates until 2031, protecting the status of current compliant citizens for a transition period.
  • Streamlines the legal code by consolidating the purchasing process for all types of firearms under a single statute, removing redundant sections of the law.
  • Imposes a substantial burden on Second Amendment rights by mandating a costly eight-hour course and live-fire training, acting as a functional barrier to ownership for many law-abiding citizens.
  • Centralizes control of firearm safety certification under the Attorney General, a political office, raising concerns about the potential weaponization of the process to restrict gun ownership.
  • Expands the seven-day waiting period to rifles and shotguns, infringing upon the ability of citizens to engage in lawful commerce and acquire firearms for immediate self-defense.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 90 additions · 153 deletions

SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act."

SECTION 2. Section 11-47-35 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons" is hereby amended to read as follows: 11-47-35. Sale of concealable weapons — Safety courses and tests — Issuance of permits to certain government officers. Sale of firearms - - Safety courses and tests - - Issuance of permits to certain government officers.

(a) As used in this section, “Firearm” means a rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver. (a)(b)(1) No person shall deliver a pistol or revolver firearm to a purchaser until seven (7) days shall have elapsed from twelve o’clock (12:00) noon of the day following the day of application for the purchase, and when delivered, the pistol or revolver firearm shall be unloaded and securely wrapped, with the bill of sale to be enclosed within the wrapper with the pistol or revolver firearm. Any citizen of the United States and/or lawful resident of this state who is twenty- one (21) years of age or older, and any nonresident member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in this state and who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, may, upon application, purchase or acquire a pistol or revolver firearm. At the time of applying for the purchase of a concealable firearm, the purchaser shall: (i) Complete and sign in triplicate and deliver to the person selling the pistol or revolver firearm the application form described in this section, and in no case shall it contain the serial number of the pistol or revolver the application form described in this section, and in no case shall it contain the serial number of the pistol or revolver; and (ii) Present to the person selling the pistol or revolver firearm a valid firearm pistol/revolver safety training certificate issued by the department of environmental management office of the attorney general. The certificate shall be retained in the possession of the buyer. The pistol/revolver firearm safety training certificate shall certify that the purchaser has completed a and passed an approved basic pistol/revolver firearm safety training course as shall be administered by the department of environmental management within the previous five (5) years. Until January 1, 2031, a purchaser may comply with the requirements of this section by presenting a firearm safety certificate issued by the department of environmental management prior to the effective date of this section. (Face of application form) Application to Purchase Pistol or Revolver Firearm Date ......................................... Hour .........................................  A.M. P.M. Name ......................................... Address ......................................... (Street and number) (City or town) (State) Date of Birth ......................................... Place of Birth ......................................... Height ......................................... Weight ...................................... Color hair .................... Color eyes ......................................... Scars ......................................... Tattoos ......................................... Other identifying marks ......................................... Are you a citizen of the United States ......................................... Are you a citizen of Rhode Island ......................................... How long ......................................... Where stationed ......................................... (Armed Forces only) Number of pistols and/or revolvers firearm(s) to be purchased ......................................... Type of firearm(s) to be purchased (e.g. rifle, shotgun, pistol or revolver) ......................... Serial Number(s)…………………………………………. Have you ever been convicted of a crime of violence ......................................... (See § 11-47-2) Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement as addicted to a controlled substance ............................................... Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement for alcoholism ............................. Have you ever been confined or treated for mental illness ......................................... From whom is pistol or revolver firearm(s) being purchased ......................................... Seller’s address ......................................... Seller’s signature ......................................... Applicant’s signature ......................................... (See § 11-47-23 for penalty for false information on this application) (Reverse side of application form) AFFIDAVIT: I certify that I have read and am familiar with the provisions of §§ 11-47-1 — 11-47-55, inclusive, of the general laws of the State of Rhode Island, and that I am aware of the penalties for violation of the provisions of the cited sections. I further certify that I have completed the required basic pistol/revolver firearm safety training course. Signed ......................................... (over) County of ......................................... State of Rhode Island Subscribed and sworn before me this ..... day of ...... A.D. 20... . Notary Public ..............................

(2) The person selling the pistol or revolver firearm shall on the date of application sign and forward by registered mail, by delivery in person, or by electronic mail if approved by the applicable police department, the original and duplicate copies of the application to the chief of police in the city or town in which the purchaser has their residence or to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police in the instance where the purchaser either resides in the town of Exeter or resides out of state. The superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which the purchaser has their residence shall mark or stamp the original copy of the application form with the date and the time of receipt and return it by the most expeditious means to the person who is selling the pistol or revolver firearm. The triplicate copy duly signed by the person who is selling the pistol or revolver firearm shall within seven (7) days be sent by them by registered mail, by delivery in person, or by electronic mail to the attorney general. The person who is selling the pistol or revolver firearm shall retain the original copy duly receipted by the police authority to whom sent or delivered for a period of six (6) years with other records of the sale. It shall be the duty of the police authority to whom the duplicate copy of the application form is sent or delivered to make a background check of the applicant to ascertain whether the applicant falls under the provisions of §§§ 8-8.3-4, 8-8.3-5, 11-47-5, 11-47-5.4, § 11-47-6, § 11-47-7, or § 11-47-23 or any other applicable state or federal law. Upon notice from the investigating police authority that the applicant is not disqualified, the seller If, after the lapse of seven (7) days from twelve o’clock (12:00) noon of the day following application, no disqualifying information has been received from the investigating police authority by the person who is selling the pistol or revolver, the person will deliver the firearm applied for to the purchaser. Upon the finding of no disqualifying information under the provisions of the above cited sections of this chapter statutes, and in no case later than thirty (30) days after the date of application, the duplicate and triplicate copies of the application will be destroyed. Retention of the duplicate and triplicate copies in violation of this section or any unauthorized use of the information contained in the copies by a person or agency shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). The provisions of this section shall not apply to bona fide sales at wholesale to duly licensed retail dealers, nor to purchases by retail dealers duly licensed under the provisions of § 11-47-39. (b)(c)(1) The department of environmental management shall establish the basic pistol/revolver safety course required by this section. The safety course shall consist of not less than two (2) hours of instruction in the safe use and handling of pistols and revolvers and the course shall be available to buyers continually throughout the year at convenient times and places but at least monthly at locations throughout the state, or more frequently as required. Proficiency in the use of pistols or revolvers shall not be prerequisite to the issuance of the safety certificate. No person shall be required to complete the course more than once; provided, that any person completing the course who is unable to produce the safety certificate issued by the department of environmental management shall be required to take the course again unless the person provides evidence to the department that the person has successfully completed the course The office of the attorney general shall certify persons as basic firearm safety training course instructors, certify safety training course curriculum, and maintain a publicly accessible list of approved basic firearm safety training courses and instructors. Certification as a basic firearm safety training course instructor shall be valid for a period of ten (10) years, unless sooner revoked by reason of unsuitability, at the discretion of the office of the attorney general. Basic firearm safety training course instructors shall be competent to give instruction in a basic firearm safety training course, as determined by criteria established by the office of the attorney general.

(2) The administration of the basic pistol/revolver safety course required by this section shall not exceed the cost of thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) in any fiscal year. The curriculum for a basic firearm safety training course shall consist of not less than eight (8) hours of instruction and must include at least all of the following topics:

(i) Instruction regarding knowledge and safe handling of firearms and ammunition;

(ii) Instruction regarding child safety and secure storage of firearms and ammunition;

(iii) Instruction regarding safe firearm shooting fundamentals;

(iv) Identification of ways to develop and maintain firearm shooting skills;

(v) Instruction regarding federal and state laws pertaining to the lawful purchase, ownership, transportation, use, and possession of firearms;

(vi) Instruction regarding the laws of the state pertaining to the use of deadly force;

(vii) Instruction regarding disengagement tactics and conflict resolution;

(viii) Instruction regarding injury and suicide prevention; and

(ix) Live fire training.

(3) Upon completion of an approved basic firearm safety training course, a person must pass a standardized written test developed by the office of the attorney general on the subject matter covered in the course to demonstrate competency in the required topics. The office of the attorney general shall review and amend, as needed, the test at least every two (2) years to reflect changes in the law and other topics that it deems necessary. Any person who has completed the basic firearms safety training course and has passed the test shall be eligible to receive a firearm safety training certificate.

(4) The office of the attorney general shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations that it deems necessary to carry out this section.

(c) Proof of passage of the department of environmental management’s basic hunter safety course will be equivalent to the pistol/revolver safety certificate mandated by this section.

(d) Any person who has reason to believe that they do not need the required handgun safety course may apply by any written means to the department of environmental management to take an objective test on the subject matter of the handgun safety course. The test shall be prepared, as well as an instruction manual upon which the test shall be based, by the department. The manual shall be made available by any means to the applicant who may, within the time limits for application, take the objective test at the department or at any location where the handgun safety course is being given. Any person receiving a passing grade on the test shall be issued a pistol/revolver safety certificate by the department.

(e) [Deleted by P.L. 2005, ch. 20, § 11 and P.L. 2005, ch. 27, § 11.] (f)(d) The following persons shall be issued basic pistol/revolver permits firearm safety training certificates by the department of environmental management office of the attorney general: sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, the superintendent and members of the state police, members of the capitol police, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, members of the city or town police force, members of the park police, conservation officers, members of the airport police and officers of the United States government authorized by law to carry a concealed firearm and, at the discretion of the department of environmental management office of the attorney general, any person who can satisfactorily establish that he or she formerly held one of these offices or were so authorized. (g)(e) Any person who is serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard on active duty shall not be required to obtain a basic pistol/revolver firearm safety training certificate or basic pistol/revolver permit under this section so long as the person remains on active duty. (h)(f) Any person who is serving in the active reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, or Coast Guard, or any person in an active duty paid status in the Rhode Island National Guard, shall not be required to obtain a basic pistol/revolver firearm safety training certificate under this section so long as the person remains in active status.

(g) The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons licensed under §§ 11-47-9 and 11-47-11, or to the sale of air rifles, BB guns, or antique firearms as defined in § 11-47-2.

SECTION 2. Sections 11-47-35.1 and 11-47-35.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-47 entitled "Weapons" are hereby repealed. 11-47-35.1. Persons exempt from § 11-47-35. The provisions of § 11-47-35 shall not apply to full-time members of the state police, full- time members of the capitol police, full-time members of city or town police departments, or capitol police or correctional officers or persons licensed under § 11-47-11. 11-47-35.2. Sale of rifles/shotguns.

(a) No person shall deliver a rifle or shotgun to a purchaser until seven (7) days shall have elapsed from twelve o’clock (12:00) noon of the day following the day of application for the purchase, and when delivered, the rifle or shotgun shall be unloaded and securely wrapped, with the bill of sale for it to be enclosed within the wrapper with the rifle or shotgun. Any citizen of the United States and/or lawful resident of this state who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, and any nonresident member of the armed forces of the United States who is stationed in this state and who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, may, upon application, purchase or acquire a rifle or shotgun. At the time of applying for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle the purchaser shall complete and sign in triplicate and deliver to the seller the application form described in this section, and in no case shall it contain the serial number of the rifle or shotgun. (Face of application form) Application to Purchase Shotgun or Rifle Date ………………………………………… Hour ………………………………… A.M. P.M. Name Address (Street and number) (City or town) (State) Date of Birth Place of Birth Height Weight Color hair Color eyes Scars Tattoos Other identifying marks Are you a citizen of the United States Are you a citizen of Rhode Island How long Where stationed (Armed Forces only) Number of rifles and/or shotguns to be purchased Have you ever been convicted of a crime of violence (See § 11-47-2 General Laws of Rhode Island) Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement as addicted to a controlled substance Have you ever been adjudicated or under confinement for alcoholism Have you ever been confined or treated for mental illness From whom is shotgun or rifle being purchased Seller's address Seller's signature Applicant's signature (See § 11-47-23 for penalty for false information on this application) (Reverse side of application form) AFFIDAVIT: I certify that I have read and am familiar with the provisions of §§ 11-47-1 — 11- 47-59, inclusive, of the general laws of the State of Rhode Island, and that I am aware of the penalties for violation of the provisions of the cited sections. Signed County of State of Rhode Island Subscribed and sworn before me this ……… day of ……. A.D. 20.... Notary Public ......................................

(b) The person who is selling the rifle or shotgun shall, on the date of application, sign and forward by registered mail or by delivery in person, or by electronic mail if approved by the applicable police department, the original and duplicate copies of the application to the chief of police in the city or town in which the purchaser has his or her residence or to the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police in the instance where the purchaser either resides in the town of Exeter or resides out of state. The superintendent of the Rhode Island state police or the chief of police in the city or town in which the purchaser has his or her residence shall mark or stamp the original copy of the application form with the date and time of receipt and return it by the most expeditious means to the seller. The triplicate copy duly signed by the seller shall within seven (7) days be sent by him or her by registered mail, by delivery in person, or by electronic mail, to the attorney general. The person who is selling the rifle or shotgun shall retain the original copy duly receipted by the police authority to whom sent or delivered for a period of six (6) years with other records of the sale. It shall be the duty of the police authority to whom the duplicate copy of the application form is sent or delivered to make a background check of the applicant to ascertain whether he or she falls under the provisions of § 11-47-5, § 11-47-6, § 11-47-7, or § 11-47-23. If, after the lapse of seven (7) days from twelve o’clock (12:00) noon of the day following application, no disqualifying information has been received from the investigating police authority by the person who is selling the rifle or shotgun, he or she will deliver the firearm applied for to the purchaser. Upon the finding of no disqualifying information under the provisions of the above cited sections of this chapter, and in no case later than thirty (30) days after the date of application, the duplicate and triplicate copies of the application will be destroyed. Retention of the duplicate and triplicate copies in violation of this chapter or any unauthorized use of the information contained in them by a person or agency shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). The provisions of this section shall not apply to bona fide sales at wholesale to duly licensed retail dealers, nor to purchases by retail dealers duly licensed under the provisions of § 11- 47-39.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to full-time members of the state police, full-time members of city or town police departments, persons licensed under §§ 11-47-9 and 11- 47-11, or to sales of air rifles or “BB guns” or to sales of antique firearms as defined in § 11-47-2.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.