# R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-18: Students prohibited from bringing or possessing firearms on school premises

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-18

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-18
- **Heading:** Students prohibited from bringing or possessing firearms on school premises
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16-21 / Section 16-21-18

## Text

The school penalty for bringing or possessing a weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, a firearm or realistic replica of a firearm within school premises, premises being used for school purposes or activities, into a vehicle used for school transportation, or onto a roadway or path along which school children or teachers are walking to school shall be suspension from school for one year. This penalty will also be incurred when a student is not on school premises but when he or she aims a firearm or realistic replica of a firearm at school premises, school vehicles, or students, staff, or visitors attending school or in transit to or from school. This term of suspension may be shortened by the superintendent of schools on a case-by-case basis and under guidelines to be developed by the school committee with broad parent, teacher, and community involvement.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1 § 16-21-1. Transportation of public and private school pupils.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-1.1 § 16-21-1.1. Student registration for transportation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-1.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-3 § 16-21-3. Standards for school building.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-3.1 § 16-21-3.1. Approval.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-3.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-4 § 16-21-4. Fire, evacuation, and lockdown drills required €” Failure to comply.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-5 § 16-21-5. Uniform fire code or drill tactics €” Reports.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-5.1 § 16-21-5.1. Carbon monoxide detectors required in school buildings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7 § 16-21-7. School health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-7.1 § 16-21-7.1. Unhealthy food and beverage advertising prohibited in schools.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-7.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-8 § 16-21-8. Certified nurse-teacher.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9 § 16-21-9. Health examinations and dental screenings €” Reports €” Records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-10 § 16-21-10. Scoliosis screening.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-12 § 16-21-12. Dental treatment provided by town or city.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-14 § 16-21-14. Hearing, speech, and vision screenings €” Records €” Statewide hearing screening program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T16_C16-21_S16-21-18. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.