Rhode Island 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the ATF's new rule aiming to redefine what a firearm is including lower receivers and frames (2021R-05F). As of now, 80% lowers are completely legal, federally not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required (some states have made their own laws to restrict 80 percent products). To explore the 80 lowers we have to offer, check out our multiple lines of product.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Rhode Island?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF however, they are not legal to ship directly to buyers residing in Rhode Island. In fact, it is illegal to possess, purchase, assemble or transfer any unfinished and unserialized frames or lower receivers in the state of Rhode Island.

Key Gun Laws in Rhode Island

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Rhode Island.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

To purchase a long gun in Rhode Island buyers must be at least 18 years old. To purchase a handgun in Rhode Island buyers must be at least 21 years old. No extra permits are needed to purchase handguns or long guns in Rhode Island nor is extra registration necessary. However, there is a state application that is required along with a mandatory waiting period of 7 days before you can take your firearm home after purchasing it. Handgun purchases also require passing a safety and training course approved by the state. Rhode Island’s minimum age for possession of firearms is 18 years old but whether they are using a long gun or handgun, the normal exemption applies when minors are in the direct supervision or presence of their parents, guardian or when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.

All firearm purchases and transfers require a background check including private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Rhode Island is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI along with another background check that is to be conducted by the state police or local chief of police. Rhode Island CCW holders are exempt from the state background check but not from the federal one.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Rhode Island is a “shall-issue” state for ccw’s but the state attorney general operates on a “may-issue” basis. A very low amount of Rhode Island’s population have been successful in obtaining a CCW. If you become one of the lucky few, CCW’s are offered to Rhode Island residents in the form of a “LCCW” or License to Carry Concealed Weapon (AKA a “blue card”). These licenses have to be obtained from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Open carrying is legal for those with a LCCW. LCCW applicants must be at least 21 years old, complete a state approved course, be able to explain why they need a firearm and must also be able to provide three references. Non-residents that have a permit from their home state can apply for a LCCW through local law enforcement in Rhode Island. For more details on their concealed carrying policies see Rhode Island’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

Full automatic machine guns and NFA items are restricted in Rhode Island but if you look into getting a NFA gun trust, that could potentially allow you to possess some NFA items. Rhode Island residents should also be aware that the state does have an “assault weapon” ban.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

Surprisingly, there are no magazine capacity restrictions in Rhode ISland. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines while you still can! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the Lancer Advanced Warfighter L5 mag which is a 30 rounder too. Our favorite color is the translucent smoke one.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

While there aren’t any “safe storage” (for now) and mandatory firearm storage requirements in Rhode Island, you should still exercise caution and can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are 5 firearm storage options.

Self-Defense

Rhode Island is a castle doctrine state but does not have a stand your ground law in place which means that any person has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his ground and use force, including deadly force if he/she believes it is immediately necessary to do so to protect themselves against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse by force or threat when in their own place of residence but there is a duty to retreat when outside of the home.

Ammunition Purchase

Rhode Island does not require a license for the purchase, possession or sale of ammo. There are otherwise no known ammo restrictions and online ammo purchases require buyers to be at least 21 years old.

Gear up with 80% Arms!

Unfortunately, Rhode Island residents are not completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. It's one of the handful of states that chooses to restrict their residents' Second Amendment rights which is extremely unfortunate. 

We are currently no longer able to ship any items to residents in the state of Rhode Island. We thank you for many years of business and your patronage. Unfortunately, Rhode Island has grown incredibly hostile against our company and any products or packages shipped to this state would fall under haphazard and intense scrutiny. If you're ever in Texas, give our new showroom a visit once it's ready and open in Fort Worth!