State Gun Laws

There are many reasons why it might be illegal for someone to have a gun. It may depend on the facts of your situation, so please see the links below for more information:

• If the abuser has been convicted of a crime in Rhode Island or elsewhere, see If the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can they keep or buy a gun?
• If you have a restraining order against the abuser, see Guns and Restraining Orders.
• If neither of those applies, see I do not have a restraining order against the abuser and they have not been convicted of a crime. Can they have a gun?

It could also be illegal for someone to have a gun because of federal gun laws, which apply to all states. Federal law bans a person from having a gun if:

• you have a protection order against them that meets certain conditions;
• they were convicted of any felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor;
• there is another reason under federal law that makes it illegal for them to have a gun.¹

For more details, you can go to our Federal Gun Laws page.

¹ 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)