---
title: "Can a felon ever own a gun again in Rhode Island?"
description: "Rarely, and the answer depends on which law applies. Under state law, § 11-47-5 bars people convicted of a crime of violence and people with qualifying domestic violence convictions or protective..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/can-a-felon-ever-own-a-gun-again-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-09-30
modified: 2026-09-30
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Can a felon ever own a gun again in Rhode Island?

Rarely, and the answer depends on which law applies. Under state law, § 11-47-5 bars people convicted of a crime of violence and people with qualifying domestic violence convictions or protective orders. A felony that is not a listed crime of violence may not trigger the state ban, but federal law under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) bars anyone convicted of an offense punishable by more than one year, regardless of the state label. The federal bar lifts only if the conviction is expunged, set aside, or pardoned, or civil rights are restored in a way that includes firearm rights, and Rhode Island expungement of a felony generally requires a 10-year wait and excludes crimes of violence. Before buying or accepting any firearm, a person with a prior conviction should have a lawyer review the exact conviction and the current status of both state and federal law. Guessing wrong is a new felony.