Appearing strong and confident is one of your best self-defense before someone thinks of attacking you. People trying to attack or steal from you normally aren’t looking for a lengthy encounter or a problem, they want easy target Have a pal walk with you when possible, but keep your eyes up and wide awake when you’re alone.
Even if you’re nervous, try not to let it show. It sounds unusual, but walking in the middle of the street instead of a dark walkway could help too. On top of that, one way of being safe is to carry a self-defense weapon but please ensure that you are carrying a legal one. Let me help you provide information on what legal self-defense weapons you can use in Rhode Island.
Stand Your Ground Law
Rhode Island has a law that allows citizens to defend themselves in public areas. There is not a duty to retreat. Sometimes referred to as a Stand Your Ground law, in Rhode Island, if you have a legal right to be in a location, then you also have a right to protect yourself if you’re in imminent threat of deadly harm.
Pepper Spray in Rhode Island
When it comes to safe self-protection, pepper spray is the best option. Pepper spray is a powerful substance containing capsaicin, a derivative of cayenne pepper. Also known as Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), when sprayed in the eyes, it causes a burning sensation—incapacitating an aggressor and allowing for a safe escape. How to use a pepper spray efficiency, well keep it handy, flip the safety lid, grip it firmly, point and press.
Under the Universal Citation RI Gen L § 11-47-57, “any person eighteen (18) years of age or over may carry on his or her person and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for his or her protection or the protection of others; however, the use of any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for any other purpose shall be punishable by a fine of not more than twenty-five dollars”.
Same as all the states, you should have not been convicted for any felony cases for you to carry a pepper spray.
Tactical Pen
At a first look, tactical pens look like a mere writing instrument, and they can certainly be used as such. Nonetheless, they are also capable of being employed for defense purposes. That is because they are typically made from incredibly durable metals and double as instruments of edge-less force.
You can use a tactical pen to nudge or slash an attacker, releasing yourself from an uncertain situation. They are a clever, cheap purchase which is it is ideal to use it as a self-defense tool. In summary, tactical pens are legal in Rhode Island.
Are firearms legal in Rhode Island?
To own and use any firearms and ammunition, Rhode Island individuals must be at least 18 years old, unless:
- the minor holds a permit to be engaged in training at a camp or rifle range under the written consent of a parent or guardian and in the presence of a parent, guardian or another supervising adult
- is engaged in hunting under the supervision of a parent, guardian or qualified adult; or
- is in reserve officer training, target shooting or parade activities.
An individual must also be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun in Rhode Island. The state also prohibits any individual from selling a handgun to any individual under age 21.
Rhode Island also generally prohibits any individual from selling, transferring, giving, conveying or causing to be sold, transferred, given or conveyed, any firearm or ammunition to any person under age 18, when the person knows or has reason to know that the recipient is under age 18. Chapter 11-47
Individuals who can’t own a handgun
Rhode Island legislation prohibits certain individuals from purchasing or possessing firearms, such as felons, certain domestic abusers, and certain people with a history of mental illness. The state has adopted its own classes of prohibited individuals and incorporated some federal prohibitions as state offenses. Subject to limited exceptions, no person shall purchase, own, carry, transport, or possess a firearm if he or she:
- Has been convicted of, or entered a no-contest plea to, a crime of violence
- Has been convicted of a domestic violence offense that is punishable as a felony, or of specified domestic violence misdemeanors, including simple assault and violations of protective orders
- Is a fugitive from justice
- Is subject to an extreme risk protection order
- Is subject to certain domestic violence protective orders
- Has been adjudicated or is under treatment or confinement as a drug addict
- Is under guardianship, treatment or confinement “by virtue of being a mental incompetent”
- Is an illegal alien.
Concealed Carry Policy (Chapter 11-47)
Rhode Island forbids any individual from carrying a handgun concealed or visible on or about the person without a license, except in his or her house or place of business or on land possessed by him or her. Carrying a handgun without a license is prima facie evidence of an intention to commit a crime in a prosecution for a crime of violence.
To apply for a license from a local licensing authority, an applicant must provide his or her fingerprints, photograph, name, address, signature, the reason for desiring such a license, and:
- Be age 21 or older
- Have a bona fide residence or place of business in the city or town in which he or she is applying, or a bona fide residence in another state and a license to carry a concealed weapon from that state
- Have a certification that he or she is qualified to use a handgun of a caliber equal or larger than the one he or she wants to carry.
Rhode Island: Knives Legislation
The short type of Rhode Island’s knife laws is pretty simple. Three inches, to be exact. Within that modest blade length, you can carry any knife you want except a double-edged dagger. All kinds of knives are legal to own, buy, sell, give away, or receive in Rhode Island, with the sole exception of those highlighting metal finger rings, which would qualify as unlawful metal knuckles.
It is illegal to carry or possess, though only with the intent to unlawfully use them against another person, sword-canes, Bowie knives, daggers, dirks, stilettos, and similar implements that are capable of inflicting thrust or cuts on other individuals. All knives are illegal if owned or carried and used it of harming somebody, but legal if owned or carried for a different cause.
Possession of knife during the commission of the crime (§ 11-47-59)
“No person shall commit or attempt to commit any crime of violence while having in his or her possession a knife with a blade more than three (3) inches long. Every person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be sentenced for a term not less than one year nor more than five (5) years and/or fined not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000)”
Rhode Island Stun Gun Laws
Stun guns and Tasers are illegal in Rhode Island. Sales and possession are also banned in the state. Title 11, Chapter 47. Statute Subsection 11-47-42. “Weapons other than firearms prohibited. – (A) No person shall carry or possess or attempt to use against another, any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a stun gun. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, and the weapon so found shall be confiscated.”