STAGE SERVER

Rhode Island

Permanent URL for this collectionhttps://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/5189

Rhode Island

This jurisdictional hub aggregates FRC holdings related to Rhode Island. It supports research on the state’s firearms history, technology, law, policy, and culture from the colonial period through statehood to the present.

  • Legal sources: statutes and session laws, administrative code, attorney general opinions, appellate decisions, and select municipal ordinances.
  • Historical materials: newspapers, photographs, maps, catalogs, maritime, manufacturing, and militia records, and oral histories tied to Rhode Island people and places.
  • Research outputs: technical reports, academic studies, training manuals, and curated datasets relevant to the state.

Cite the Firearms Research Center and the item’s handle/DOI when using materials. Rights and licensing vary by item.

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Start date: 1800End date: 1859

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    The Charter of the City of Newport, Rhode Island and the Special State Laws Relating Thereto, Together with the Ordinances for the Government of the City 39, § 12 (1858)
    (1858)
    An Act providing in case of fire breaking out in the town of Newport an for the purposes therein mentioned: Prohibited ships with more than 5 barrels of gunpowder on board from entering the harbor
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Providence, with the Acts of the General Assembly Relating to the City 60 (1835)
    (1835)
    An Act to Prevent the Firing of Guns within Certain Limits, § 1: That if any person shall fire or discharge any musket, rifle, fowling piece, blunderbuss or other small arms, not being at the time under military duty, within the following limits viz: the whole city of Providence, excepting the public waters and public rivers therein; also such parts of the town of Cranston and Johnston as are contained with the following limits to wit: beginning in Pawtuxet road at the Providence line, thence running Southerly on said Pawtuxet road, until it comes to a cross road heading to Cranston . . . , except upon land owned or occupied by him, or except on other days than the first day of the week, by permission of the owner or occupant of the land, on, and into which he may shoot, he shall pay as a fine the sum of five dollars for the first offence, and ten dollars for every subsequent offence; to be recovered by action of debt before any justice of the peace within the county in which said offence may be committed, by any person who may sue for the same with cost of suit
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1819-21 R.I. Pub. Laws 289
    (1819)
    An Act To Prevent Certain Disorders In The Town Of Bristol, § 3: And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall, at any time hereafter, fire any gun or pistol in any of the streets, roads, lanes, buildings, or from any of the walls or fences thereto contiguous, and within the compact part of said town, without justifiable cause, such person or persons shall upon complaint and conviction thereof as aforesaid, pay a fine not less than two dollars nor more than four dollars for the first offense, and the sum of four dollars for each and every subsequent offence, to be paid and appropriated as aforesaid.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1857 R.I. Rev. Stat. 204-05, ch. 80, § 2
    (1857)
    Prohibited shooting ranges & galleries in the "compact part" of the city of Newport. Violators fined two hundred dollars for the first offense, and five hundred dollars for every subsequent offense.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    The Charter of the City of Newport, Rhode Island and the Special State Laws Relating Thereto, Together with the Ordinances for the Government of the City 39, § 11 (1858)
    (1822)
    An Act providing in case of fire breaking out in the town of Newport an for the purposes therein mentioned, § 11: That no person whosoever shall fire a gun or other fire-works within one hundred yards of the said powder-house, upon the penalty of two dollars for every such offence, to be recovered by the town treasurer for the use of said town.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    The Charter and Ordinances of the City of Providence, Together with the Acts of the General Assembly Relating to the City 89-96 (1854)
    (1821)
    Strictly regulated the possession, sale, storage, and transportation of gunpowder to reduce fire and explosion risks. Individuals generally could not possess more than five pounds unless authorized, and sellers required licenses. The law established specific storage containers, transportation methods, designated loading areas, and warning signs. Firewards could inspect premises, seize illegally stored gunpowder, and obtain warrants to search suspected locations. Violations could result in fines of $20–$500 and forfeiture of gunpowder. People injured by illegally stored or transported gunpowder could also seek damages from those responsible.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1838 R.I. Pub. Laws 3-5
    (1838)
    An Act Concerning Crimes and Punishments: Every person who shall be convicted of voluntarily engaging in a duel, with any dangerous weapon, to the hazard of life, shall be imprisoned not exceeding seven years, nor less than one year. § 7. Every person who shall be convicted of challenging another to fight a duel with any with any dangerous weapon to the hazard of life, and every person who shall be convicted of accepting any challenge to fight such duel, though no duel be fought, shall be imprisoned not exceeding seven years nor less than one year.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1857 R.I. Rev. Stat. 614, tit. 34, ch. 236, § 9
    (1857)
    No non-commissioned officer or private shall unnecessarily, or without orders from his superior officer, come on to any place of parade with his musket, rifle or pistol loaded with balls, slugs, shot or other dangerous substance, or shall so load with same while on parade.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1844 R.I. Pub. Laws 503
    (1844)
    Required all white males aged eighteen to forty-five years old to be enrolled in the militia except idiots, lunatics, common drunkards, paupers, vagabonds, and persons convicted of any infamous crime.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1840 R.I. Pub. Laws 3, 17
    (1840)
    An Act to Regulate the Militia, § 46: If any non-commissioned officer or private shall become a pauper, vagabond, or common drunkard, or be convicted of any infamous crime, he shall be forthwith disenrolled from the militia."
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    An Act for the More Effectual Suppression of Drinking Houses and Tippling Shops, in Acts & Resolves of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island (1853).
    (1853)
    § 10: "It shall be the duty of any mayor, alderman, city marshal, city or town sergeant, constable or police officer, of any city or town, if he shall have information that any ale, wine, rum, or other strong or malt liquors, or any mixed liquors as aforesaid, are kept for sale or sold in any tent, shanty, hut or place of any kind for selling refreshments in any public place, on or near the ground of any cattle show, agricultural exhibition, military muster or public occasion of any kind, to search such suspected place
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item type:Item,
    1843 R.I. Pub. Laws 13
    (1843)
    An Act to Regulate The Militia, § 38: No non-commissioned officer or private, shall unnecessarily, or without orders from his superior officer, come on to any place of parade, with his musket, rifle, or pistol loaded with balls, slugs, shot, or other dangerous substance, or shall so load the same while on parade.