Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 2024 ‘Gun Dealers in Rhode Island.’ Gun Sales. San Francisco, CA: Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. 21 November
Relevant contents
Dealer Regulations in Rhode Island
Federal law requires firearms dealers to obtain a license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), although resource limitations prevent the ATF from properly overseeing all its licensees.
Rhode Island prohibits the retail sale of handguns without a state license.
Handgun dealers must:
- Conduct business only in the building designated in the license;
- Display the license on the premises;
- Require evidence of a purchaser's identity, unless the purchaser is personally known to the dealer;
- Comply with other applicable laws…
No firearms dealer (other than a wholesaler selling to a retail dealer), may display any handgun or imitation handgun, or advertising for such weapons, where it can be readily seen from the street. Moreover, any person selling a firearm from a "place of business" shall not exhibit any firearm in a display window unless he or she possesses a permit to do so that is issued by local law enforcement.
A handgun dealer's license is valid for "not more than" one year from the date of issue and will be forfeited if the licensee violates any of the aforementioned conditions…
[Editor's note: The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence regularly updates its webpages with new data as US gun regulation evolves state by state. For the most up-to-date information on US gun laws, please refer to the Giffords URL below]