Rhode Island

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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.

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Laws and Acts of Her Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Province-Plantations Made from the First Settlement in 1636 to 1705, at 48 (1896)
(1700)
Persons subject to militia service also had to serve on watch and ward (day and night guard duty in towns). Mandatied that each militiaman appear with a "Good & Sufficient muskett or Fuze a Sword or Bayenet, Catooch box or Bandelers wth twelve Bulets fit for his Piece half a Pound of Powder & Six good Flints."
The Charter and the Acts and Laws of His Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence-Plantations in America, 1719, at 86 (Sidney S. Rider, ed. 1895)
(1718)
Provided that "all male Persons ... from the Age of Sixteen, to the Age of Sixty Years, shall bear Arms." Arms were "one good Musket, or Fuzee, the Barrel whereof not to be less than three foot and an half in length," plus a sword or bayonet, a pound of gunpowder, thirty bullets, six flints, and a cartridge box.
1 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England 94 (John Russell Bartlett ed., 1856)
(1639)
Ordered that "no man" shall go two miles from town unarmed. Also ordered that none shall come to any public meeting without his weapon. Penalty of five shillings per violation.
1756 R.I. Laws, Feb Sess. 73
(1756)
Made the parents of militiamen under 21 liable for unpaid fines for neglect of duty.
1779 R.I. Laws, Oct. Reg. Sess. 32
(1779)
"[E]ach and every effective Man as aforesaid [had to] provide, and at all times be furnished, at his own Expence (excepting such Persons as the Town-Councils of the Towns in which they respectively dwell or reside shall adjudge unable to purchase the same) with one good Musquet, and a Bayonet fitted thereto, with a Sheath and Belt, or Strap, for the same, one Ram-rod, Worm, Priming-wire and Brush, and one Cartouch-Box."
1781 R.I. Laws, Feb. Adjourned Sess. 8
(1781)
Raised a militia force of 1,200 men, with the statutory guarantee that the term of service would be only one month, and they were "not to be marched out of" the state.623 The number of men each county raised depended on the number of militia-aged men (16 to 50) within that county.624 "[E]ach of the non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers" had to "furnish himself with a good Musket, Bayonet, Cartouch- Box, Knapsack, and Blanket."
Laws and Acts of Her Majesties Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence-Plantations Made from the First Settlement in 1636 to 1705, at 23 (1896)
(1673)
Established a militia in 1673, consisting of persons from 16 to 60 years old Each militiaman was required to "at all times hereafter have on[e] good gun or muskitt Fitt for Service one pound of good powder & thirty bullits at Least." If a son or servant had no valuable estate of his own, his parents or master would be liable for any fines imposed upon him.
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
1810 R.I. Pub. Laws 52
(1798)
An Act Relative To The Keeping Gun-Powder In The Town Of Providence, §2: That no person or persons shall hereafter keep or deposit gunpowder, in a greater quantity than twenty-eight pounds, in any shop, building or other place, in the town of Providence, except such place or places as the Town Council of said town shall allow and designate for that purpose.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England 567 (1862)
(1776)
Required any male citizen age sixteen or above to take a loyalty oath and failure to do so without providing proper justificaiton results in disarmament
1762 R.I. Pub. Laws 132
(1762)
An Act of June 1762: That every person who shall import gunpowder into the town of Newport aforesaid shall cause the same to be conveyed immediately to the powder house at the North Easterly part of town, before the vessel in which the said Powder shall be imported, be brought to any Wharf; upon the penalty of paying into the Town-Treasury of the said Town of Newport, a Fine of Ten Shillings Lawful Money, for every cask which shall not be conveyed to the Powder House as aforesaid
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.
1794 R.I. Pub. Laws 21
(1794)
An Act To Organize The Militia Of This State, § 10: That every Corporal who shall neglect to warn the Men to appear at every Rendezvous mentioned in this Act, when thereunto required as aforesaid without sufficient excuse, shall forfeit the Sum of Twelve Shillings, Lawful Money: That every non-commissioned officer or private who shall neglect to appear at the regimental Rendezvous, shall forfeit the sum of Six Shillings and for every day he shall neglect to appear at the company parade, he shall forfeit Four Shillings and Sixpence. And if he shall not be armed and equipped according other said Act of congress, when so appearing, without sufficient excuse, he shall, for appearing without a gun, forfeit one shilling and sixpence; without bayonet and belt six pence; without a Bayonet and Belt, Sixpence; without a Cartouch-Box and Cartridges, Sixpence. . .
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."
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
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.
Statutes of the State of Rhode Island Relating to the City of Providence 432 (1875)
(1874)
Ch. 5, § 105: He may also arrest without a warrant any person reasonably suspected of having committed a felony, or seen committing a breach of the peace, or being unduly armed with a dangerous weapon, and also night-walkers.
1636-1748 R.I. Pub. Laws 31
(1679)
That if any person or persons shall presume to sport game or play at any manner of game or games or shooting out any gun or shall set tipling & drinking in any tavern alhouse ordinary or vitling house on the first day of the week more than neccesity requireth and upon examination of the fact it shall be judged by any Justice of the Peace and the Person or Persons so offending as aforesaid. Upon conviction before one Justice of Peace Shall by the said Justice of the Peace be sentenced for every the aforesaid offences to set in the stocks three hours or pay five shillings in money for the use of the poor of the town or place where the offence was committed.
1 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England 79–80 (John Russell Bartlett ed., 1856)
(1643)
reiterated an earlier order "for every man to have so much powder, and so many bullets, and so the forwarning is to stand still in force; and also that every man do come armed unto the meeting upon every sixth day"
Acts and Orders of 1647, in Colonial Origins of the American Constitution: A Documentary History 183–84 (Donald S. Lutz ed., 1998)
(1647)
Every inhabitant above sixteen or under sixty years of age shall be provided a musket, one pound of powder, twenty bullets, two fathoms match, sword rest, and bandaleers.
Acts and Laws of His Majesties Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations in America 86-87 (1179 [1719])
(1718)
That every Listed Soldier of the said Militia, shall be always provided with one good Musket, or Fuzee, the Barrel whereof not to be less than three foot and an half in length, to the satisfaction of the Commission Officers of the Company; also one pound of good Gunpowder, thirty Bullets, fit for his Gun, six good Flints, fit for Service; one good Sword, or Baionet, a Cartouch Box, ready
2 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England 561 (1857)
(1677)
Required seizure of guns and ammunition from "any Indian."
1731 R.I. Pub. Laws 240-241
(1731)
Restricted the firing of any gun, pistol, squib, rocket, or firework on any street or in any tarvern after dark. Violators fined five shillings on first offense, ten shillings on second offense, twenty shillings for offenses beyond the second.
Acts and Orders of 1647, in Colonial Origins of the American Constitution: A Documentary History 39 (Donald S. Lutz ed., 1998)
(1647)
Prohibited the giving, selling, repairing guns, ammunition, or weapons to or for "the Indians."
3 Records of the Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, in New England 31 (1858)
(1679)
And bee it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That any person or persons shall presume to sport, game or play at any manner of game or games, or shooting on the first day of the weeke as aforesaid, or shall sit tippling and drinking in any tavern, ale-house, ordinary or victualling house on the first day of the weeke, more than necessity requireth;

Rhode Island

Rhode Island

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