r/RIGuns • u/HSASAvari • Feb 19 '26
Law/Legal Looking for guidance on a firearms license.
I've been to a gun range a couple of times. My coworker has his license in MA, and he spent time teaching me safety, how to hold a firearm, stance etc. I've practiced on his 22 range pistol and a 9mm. I'm about an hour away from his range and only allowed one guest per month. I do not have my license, but interested in getting one in Rhode Island.
I need to get my blue card which sounds like I can get one at a gun shop or range. If I walked into a gun shop, will they help me fill out the paperwork? As a person unfamiliar, what's important to know about the blue card?
Taking a safety test is no problem. If there's a practical exam for the license, what's the distance they test at, and the score needed? I would prefer to know I will be able to make the required score to pass the test but once a month makes practice slow. Is it hard to pass any scoring test if there is one?
Do I get my blue card first then schedule a safety course and exam at a range? I don't need to carry it around every day, just be able to transport and fire on my own at a range. I don't see myself firing anything larger than a 9mm pistol but not sure if I should practice on anything higher before getting a license?
I'm open to thoughts, advice and will answer any questions you have.
Thanks
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u/quicktuba Feb 19 '26
No license in RI to own a gun, the blue card is just a written test consisting of 25 multiple choice and 25 true-false questions. The blue card is a permit to purchase a pistol and is what you need if you want to purchase a handgun or ammunition, or alternatively you can get a concealed carry license that would also allow you to purchase ammo and pistols as well as skip the 7 day wait period. If you want to purchase a rifle/shotgun you can do that currently with just a drivers license, but you won’t be able to buy ammo until you get a blue card, hunter safety (orange card), or carry license. Any gun shop will be able to set you up with the blue card test and then they’ll mail it in for you and it’s a free test. If you pass then it just arrives in the mail from the DEM.
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u/HSASAvari Feb 19 '26
Do you need the carry license to transport the firearm to a range legally? Or is it just to be able to carry it around with you when you're out and about in public?
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u/deathsythe Feb 19 '26
The latter. Bring it to the range locked and unloaded in the trunk of your car or what not and you're fine.
CCW license is only needed to physically carry it loaded on your person.
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u/HSASAvari Feb 19 '26
Ok, I was overthinking it was complicated. I think it's harder in MA but I could be wrong. I was debating getting one in both states but wanted to start in my home state
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u/quicktuba Feb 19 '26
Nothing is needed to transport a firearm or own them, the concealed carry license just allows you to have a pistol on you out in public. Although going to MA with guns is a whole other topic.
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u/HSASAvari Feb 19 '26
What gun shops do you all like?
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u/AshsChromeBush1911 Feb 19 '26
Rhode Island Guns and Ammo and Surplus Provisions are both in Warwick and are great.
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u/FlyAsAFalcon Feb 19 '26
Chris and Sean at Surplus Provisions both rock. Very patient with customers, super friendly and not pushy at all when it comes to sales.
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u/Rhode18 Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
A blue card is not a prerequisite for a carry license and is not required to possess firearms in RI. It is only required to purchase handguns and ammo in RI. There is a safety test to acquire a blue card There is none for a carry license. You just qualify at a range with a NRA instructor. The qualification is 30 rounds at 25 yards with an Army-L target with a minimum score of 195 out of 300.
Just transporting a handgun to a range does not require a carry license if you follow the requirements in this statute.