Yes. Self-defense is a legal justification you raise in your defense, not something that stops an arrest. Police often arrest and charge the person who used force [...]
Legislation has been proposed in 2026, including House Bill 8070, that would explicitly authorize the carry of stun guns and pepper spray for self-defense. As with all [...]
Yes, Rhode Island law allows the use of force to defend another person. The defender must reasonably believe that the other person is in imminent danger of [...]
Yes, both open carry and concealed carry are legal only with a valid License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (LCCW) in Rhode Island. The minimum age to [...]
Rhode Island's castle doctrine allows a person to use deadly force to defend themselves in their home if they reasonably believe someone has broken in and poses [...]
Yes. Outside your home, Rhode Island imposes a duty to retreat before using force if you can do so safely. You may only use force, and especially [...]
