Quick Legal Facts
Statewide Preemption:
No.
Concealed Carry:
Any knife having a blade longer than 3 inches, or any “dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword in cane, bowie knife or other similar weapon” regardless of blade length may not be carried in a concealed manner.
Minors:
Various weapons, including daggers, dirks, stilettos, bowie knives and knives with blades longer than 3 inches may not be sold to a minor without the written authorization of the minor’s parent or legal guardian.
Schools:
Schools are weapon free zones.
Critical Dimensions:
A knife with a blade more than 3 inches cannot be carried concealed or transferred to a minor.
Restricted Knives:
None known.
The open carry of knives – of any type – is not restricted in Rhode Island, unless one has the intent to use it “unlawfully against another”. It is unlawful to conceal carry any knife with a blade longer than 3 inches. It is unlawful to conceal carry any “dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword in cane, bowie knife or other similar weapon” regardless of blade length.
Relevant Statutes:
11-47-42. Weapons other than firearms prohibited
11-47-43. Collectors and police officers exempt from 11-47-42
11-47-47. Display of weapons
11-47-60.2. Possession of weapons on school grounds–Notification
Statewide Preemption:
None.
Restrictions on Sale or Transfer:
It is unlawful to sell any knife having a blade longer than 3 inches, or any “dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword in cane, bowie knife or other similar weapon” regardless of blade length to a minor without written authorization from the minor’s parent or legal guardian.
The “display” in a window of any dagger, dirk, stiletto, or bowie knife is unlawful.
Concealed Carry:
Any knife having a blade longer than 3 inches, or any “dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword in cane, bowie knife or other similar weapon” regardless of blade length may not be carried in a concealed manner.
Restrictions on Carry in Specific Locations / Circumstances:
This restriction by its terms applies only to students. Weapons, including knives, are prohibited on school grounds K-12 except for officially recognized or sanctioned activities.
- Concealment
The criterion for “concealment” is not statutorily defined by Rhode Island law. It has also not been examined in any appeal level Rhode Island court opinion. Whether a knife was “concealed” in any given case will be a question to be answered by the jury based on the evidence presented.
- Blade Length
Rhode Island law, 11-47-42 (a)(3) provides that blade length is determined by measuring from the end of the handle where the blade is attached to the end of the blade. This is consistent with the majority of U.S. states and the standard promulgated.
- Automatic Knives
Automatic knives are not restricted in Rhode Island. It was one of the small groups of states that did not reflexively join the “anti-switchblade” frenzy of the 1950s decade.
- Daggers, Dirks, and Other Novelties
Sub-section (a)(2) of 11-47-42 provides:
(2) No person shall with intent to use unlawfully against another, carry or possess a crossbow, dagger, dirk, stiletto, sword-in-cane, bowie knife, or other similar weapon designed to cut and stab another.
The items listed – without regard to blade length – may not be carried in a concealed manner or sold/transferred to a minor without parental permission. The Rhode Island non-firearm weapon law also restricts the so-called “Kung-Fu” weapons.
- Law Enforcement and Military
The provisions of 11-47-42, so far as they relate to the possession or carrying, apply to sheriffs, town constables, police constables, police, or other officers or guards whose duties require them to arrest or to keep and guard prisoners or property, nor to any person summoned by those officers to aid them in the discharge of their duties while actually engaged in their duties. No exemptions for U.S. Military or National Guard personnel are noted.
- Consequences
Violations of the carry restrictions in 11-47-42 are punishable by confinement for up to 1 year and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. A violation of the prohibition on transfers to minors is punishable by confinement not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years; and a fine of at least $1,000 but not more than $3,000. Weapons found in connection with either category of violation shall be confiscated.
A violation of the window display restriction is punishable by a fine of $25.
