Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-18 (2026)

License or permit issued by attorney general on showing of need — Issuance to retired police officers

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) The attorney general may issue a license or permit to any person twenty-one (21) years of age or over to carry a pistol or revolver, whether concealed or not, upon his or her person upon a proper showing of need, subject to the provisions of §§ 11-47-12 and 11-47-15; that license or permit may be issued notwithstanding the provisions of § 11-47-7.

(b) All state police officers and permanent members of city and town police forces of this state who have retired in good standing after at least twenty (20) years of service, or retired in good standing due to a physical disability other than a psychological impairment, may be issued a license or permit by the attorney general subject to the provisions of §§ 11-47-12 and 11-47-15. The term “in good standing” means that at the time of retirement, the police officer was not facing disciplinary action that could have resulted in his or her termination for misconduct or unfitness for office. Any member of the licensing authority, and its agents, servants, and employees shall be immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based upon any official act or decision, performed or made in good faith in issuing a license or permit under this chapter.

(c) Notwithstanding any other chapter or section of the general laws of the state of Rhode Island, the attorney general shall not provide or release to any individual, firm, association or corporation the name, address, or date of birth of any person who has held or currently holds a license or permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the release of any statistical data of a general nature relative to age, gender and racial or ethnic background nor shall it be construed to prevent the release of information to parties involved in any prosecution of § 11-47-8 or in response to a lawful subpoena in any criminal or civil action which said person is a party to such action.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 9 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1973–2025 · leading case: Mosby v. Devine.

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Mosby v. Devine (R.I. 2004). · cites it 118× “VI The Department Did Not Provide Plaintiffs with Due Process When It Denied Their License Applications Under G.L.1956 § 11-47-18 A. Plaintiffs Have a Liberty Interest in Keeping and Bearing Arms, Including Pistols or Revolvers, That Cannot Be Denied or Infringed Without Due…”

Norman T. Gadomski, Jr. v. Joseph H. Tavares, Chief of Police for the City of East Providence (R.I. 2015). · cites it 3× “We observed that the licensing procedure in § 11-47-18, which was at issue in Mosby , “provides for the discretionary grant of a firearms license by the [Djepartment [of the Attorney General] ‘upon a proper showing of need’ * * Mosby, 851 A.”

Caniglia v. Strom (1st Cir. 2020). “There, the Rhode Island Supreme Court reviewed the RIFA's licensing framework for the carriage of pistols and revolvers, see R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-18; Mosby, 851 A.2d at 1047 .”

State v. Storms (R.I. 1973). · cites it 3× “The licensing procedures are found in §11-47-11 and §11-47-18, and they authorize one 21 years of age or over to carry a pistol or revolver on his person upon the issuance of a permit (1) by the licensing authorities 5 of any city or town *126 with respect to a concealed weapon…”

Roberts v. Cuthpert (Ga. 2023). · cites it 2× “§ 6109 (b); 11 R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 11-47-18 (a); S.C. Code Ann.”

State v. Jason Ortiz (R.I. 2024). · cites it 12× “” -3- applied for a license pursuant to § 11-47-11 or § 11-47-18, and therefore he was never denied a license under the statutes.”

O'Neil v. Neronha (D.R.I. 2025). · cites it 9× “The second procedure, detailed in § 11-47-18, “provides for the discretionary grant of a firearms license by the [AG] ‘upon a proper showing of need.”

Joseph A. J. PAIVA v. Christopher J. PARELLA, Chief of Police for the City of East Providence (R.I. 2018). · cites it 3× “in the language of- § 11-47-18, which applies to the Attorney General, not § 11-47-11, which applies to municipalities, including the City of.”

Peter Montaquila v. Peter F. Neronha, in his Off. capacity as Attorney Gen. of Rhode Island (R.I. 2023). · cites it 3× “1956 § 11-47-8(a), and identifies two licensing authorities: municipalities, which may issue licenses to carry concealed weapons pursuant to § 11-47-11; and the Attorney General, who may issue a license to carry a visible or concealed firearm pursuant to § 11-47-18. -7- In…”

— R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-18(a) — 3 cases

Mosby v. Devine (R.I. 2004). “VI The Department Did Not Provide Plaintiffs with Due Process When It Denied Their License Applications Under G.L.1956 § 11-47-18 A. Plaintiffs Have a Liberty Interest in Keeping and Bearing Arms, Including Pistols or Revolvers, That Cannot Be Denied or Infringed Without Due…”

State v. Jason Ortiz (R.I. 2024). “” -3- applied for a license pursuant to § 11-47-11 or § 11-47-18, and therefore he was never denied a license under the statutes.”

Peter Montaquila v. Peter F. Neronha, in his Off. capacity as Attorney Gen. of Rhode Island (R.I. 2023). “1956 § 11-47-8(a), and identifies two licensing authorities: municipalities, which may issue licenses to carry concealed weapons pursuant to § 11-47-11; and the Attorney General, who may issue a license to carry a visible or concealed firearm pursuant to § 11-47-18. -7- In…”

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