Are Bump Stocks Legal in Rhode Island?

BANNED: Rhode Island bans bump stocks at the state level.

Before you bring a bump stock into Rhode Island, read this. State law here goes further than federal law, and the difference matters.

What the law says

Rhode Island’s ban is codified at R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 11-47 (bump-fire device ban; definitions at § 11-47-2).

  • Controlling law: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 11-47 (bump-fire device ban; definitions at § 11-47-2)
  • Enacted: 2018
  • Penalty: 1–10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine

Rhode Island banned bump-fire stocks, binary triggers, and trigger cranks in 2018; existing owners were given 90 days to sell or destroy their devices.

The federal picture

In Garland v. Cargill (decided June 2024), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the ATF rule that had reclassified bump stocks as machine guns. Since that ruling, bump stocks are legal under federal law. That does not help you in Rhode Island: the state’s own ban operates independently of federal law and remains fully enforceable.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to have a bump stock in Rhode Island?

Yes — state law bans bump-fire stocks in Rhode Island, and the ban has been in force since 2018. This applies regardless of the device’s federal status.

What happens if I’m caught with one in Rhode Island?

The statute provides for penalties including: 1–10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Either way, it is a criminal matter, not a fine-and-forget violation.

I bought mine legally in another state — does that matter in Rhode Island?

Where you bought it doesn’t change Rhode Island law. Possession inside the state is what the statute reaches. If you move to Rhode Island, consult an attorney about lawful disposition before you arrive.

Nearby states

Where that leaves you

Because of the state ban described above, bump-fire stocks cannot be sold or shipped to Rhode Island, and this page exists for information only.

State device laws have shifted repeatedly since 2017, in both directions. If the law in Rhode Island changes, our newsletter subscribers are the first to hear about it — the signup form is available on our main site.

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Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify current federal, state, and local law before purchasing. Last reviewed July 2026.