Rhode Island Knife Laws

At a Glance:

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 three (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

 Restricted Knives:

There are no forbidden knives under Rhode Island law.

Concealed Carry:

Any knife having a blade longer than three (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 Sale or Transfer:

It is unlawful to sell any knife having a blade longer than three (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.

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 through 12 except for officially recognized or sanctioned activities.

Statewide Preemption:

None.

Discussion:

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. It is also unlawful to carry any such item in any manner if one has the intent to use unlawfully it against another.

Definitions for the listed items are not provided. The Rhode Island non-firearm weapon law also restricts the so-called “Kung-Fu” weapons.

Blade Length

Rhode Island law, Sub-section § 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 by the American Knife & Tool I available to review here.

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.

Collector Exemption

Rhode Island law, § 11-47-43. Collectors and police officers exempt from § 11-47-42, exempts any person who possesses or is making a collection of weapons:

The provisions of § 11-47-42, so far as they forbid the possession of certain instruments or weapons, shall not apply to any person who possesses or is making a collection of the weapons as curios or for educational, professional, scientific, or any other lawful purpose, without intent to use the instrument or weapon unlawfully

This provision has not been the subject of any reported case in Rhode Island. Moreover, there are no forbidden weapons identified in § 11-47-42. There may be instances where a person who is in good faith “making a collection” can invoke this exemption.

Law Enforcement / Military

§ 11-47-43 mentioned above also allows an exemption for law enforcement officers for a “billy,” but not knives:

Nor shall the provisions of § 11-47-42, so far as they relate to the possession or carrying of any billy, 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 one (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 one (1) year and not more than three (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.

Updated October 23, 2020, by Daniel C. Lawson