Changes the application to purchase a firearm. Further, this act would require all persons seeking to possess a firearm except for police and military personnel to complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course.

Rhode Island Firearm Safety Training Bill – Plain English Summary

This bill, known as the "Responsible Firearm Purchasing Act," would make two main changes to how Rhode Island residents obtain firearms. First, it would update the application form that people must fill out when purchasing a gun. Second, and more significantly, it would require almost anyone who wants to possess a firearm — not just buy one — to first complete and pass a basic firearm safety training course. The only people exempt from this training requirement are active law enforcement officers and military personnel.

The bill would affect the vast majority of Rhode Island residents who own or want to own a firearm. Under this proposal, a person could not legally possess a gun without first proving they have completed and passed the required safety training. This goes beyond just the purchase process — it applies to possession, meaning current gun owners could also be affected, not just future buyers. The specific details of what the training course would cover or who would administer it would likely be defined in accompanying regulations.

The bill was recently introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026. It has not yet been voted on, so it is still in the early stages of the legislative process. No changes to state law would take effect unless and until the bill passes both chambers and is signed into law.