Rhode Island Blue Card Frequent Questions Exam With
Correct Answers(2026/2027)
1. What is the very first thing you should do when you pick up any
handgun?
Correct Answer: Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
2. What does the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantee?
Correct Answer: The right of the people to keep and bear arms.
3. Is "ignorance of the law" a valid excuse for violating Rhode Island firearm
regulations?
Correct Answer: No.
4. What are the three basic parts of a modern handgun?
Correct Answer: Action, frame, and barrel.
5. How should you treat every firearm you handle?
Correct Answer: With the respect due a loaded gun (treat it as if it were
loaded).
6. When is it acceptable to place your finger inside the trigger guard?
Correct Answer: Only when you are on target and ready to shoot.
7. According to the "10 Commandments of Safety," what should you do
before climbing a tree or crossing a fence with a gun?
Correct Answer: Unload the firearm completely.
8. What is the only area where a person may lawfully discharge a pistol or
revolver in Rhode Island?
Correct Answer: At a bonafide shooting range.
9. What is the "action" of a handgun?
Correct Answer: The part that loads, fires, and ejects the cartridges.
10.What is "rifling"?
Correct Answer: Spiral grooves in the bore that spin the bullet for
accuracy.
11.To match the proper ammunition to your handgun, where should you
look?
Correct Answer: At the caliber designation on the side of the barrel or
slide.
, 12.What are the four main components of a handgun cartridge?
Correct Answer: Case, primer, powder, and projectile (bullet).
13.What part of the cartridge is struck by the firing pin to ignite the
powder?
Correct Answer: The primer.
14.How should firearms and ammunition be stored in the home?
Correct Answer: Separately, in locked locations, and out of reach of
children.
15.What is the mandatory waiting period to purchase a handgun in Rhode
Island?
Correct Answer: Seven (7) days.
16.What is the minimum age to purchase a handgun or handgun
ammunition in RI?
Correct Answer: 21 years of age.
17.What should a shooter do immediately upon hearing the command
"Cease Fire"?
Correct Answer: Stop firing immediately and lay the gun down with the
action open.
18.What is the best backstop for an outdoor range?
Correct Answer: A high earthen embankment free of rocks and stones.
19.In Rhode Island, what is the maximum number of rounds a magazine can
hold?
Correct Answer: 10 rounds.
20.Does the Blue Card allow you to carry a concealed weapon?
Correct Answer: No, it only allows for the purchase of handguns and
ammunition.
21.What are the five most common uses for a handgun?
Correct Answer: Sport, recreation, hunting, metallic silhouette shooting,
and protection.
22.Why is it dangerous to shoot at a flat, hard surface or water?
Correct Answer: It can cause a ricochet.
23.What should you check your barrel for before firing?
Correct Answer: Obstructions.
Correct Answers(2026/2027)
1. What is the very first thing you should do when you pick up any
handgun?
Correct Answer: Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
2. What does the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantee?
Correct Answer: The right of the people to keep and bear arms.
3. Is "ignorance of the law" a valid excuse for violating Rhode Island firearm
regulations?
Correct Answer: No.
4. What are the three basic parts of a modern handgun?
Correct Answer: Action, frame, and barrel.
5. How should you treat every firearm you handle?
Correct Answer: With the respect due a loaded gun (treat it as if it were
loaded).
6. When is it acceptable to place your finger inside the trigger guard?
Correct Answer: Only when you are on target and ready to shoot.
7. According to the "10 Commandments of Safety," what should you do
before climbing a tree or crossing a fence with a gun?
Correct Answer: Unload the firearm completely.
8. What is the only area where a person may lawfully discharge a pistol or
revolver in Rhode Island?
Correct Answer: At a bonafide shooting range.
9. What is the "action" of a handgun?
Correct Answer: The part that loads, fires, and ejects the cartridges.
10.What is "rifling"?
Correct Answer: Spiral grooves in the bore that spin the bullet for
accuracy.
11.To match the proper ammunition to your handgun, where should you
look?
Correct Answer: At the caliber designation on the side of the barrel or
slide.
, 12.What are the four main components of a handgun cartridge?
Correct Answer: Case, primer, powder, and projectile (bullet).
13.What part of the cartridge is struck by the firing pin to ignite the
powder?
Correct Answer: The primer.
14.How should firearms and ammunition be stored in the home?
Correct Answer: Separately, in locked locations, and out of reach of
children.
15.What is the mandatory waiting period to purchase a handgun in Rhode
Island?
Correct Answer: Seven (7) days.
16.What is the minimum age to purchase a handgun or handgun
ammunition in RI?
Correct Answer: 21 years of age.
17.What should a shooter do immediately upon hearing the command
"Cease Fire"?
Correct Answer: Stop firing immediately and lay the gun down with the
action open.
18.What is the best backstop for an outdoor range?
Correct Answer: A high earthen embankment free of rocks and stones.
19.In Rhode Island, what is the maximum number of rounds a magazine can
hold?
Correct Answer: 10 rounds.
20.Does the Blue Card allow you to carry a concealed weapon?
Correct Answer: No, it only allows for the purchase of handguns and
ammunition.
21.What are the five most common uses for a handgun?
Correct Answer: Sport, recreation, hunting, metallic silhouette shooting,
and protection.
22.Why is it dangerous to shoot at a flat, hard surface or water?
Correct Answer: It can cause a ricochet.
23.What should you check your barrel for before firing?
Correct Answer: Obstructions.
