§ 11-47-18. License or permit issued by attorney general on showing of need - Issuance to retired police officers. (a) The attorney general may issue a license or permit to any person twenty-one (21) years of age or over to carry a pistol or revolver, whether concealed or not, upon his or her person upon a proper showing of need, subject to the provisions of §§ 11-47-12 and 11-47-15; that license or permit may be issued notwithstanding the provisions of § 11-47-7.

(b) All state police officers and permanent members of city and town police forces of this state who have retired in good standing after at least twenty (20) years of service, or retired in good standing due to a physical disability other than a psychological impairment, may be issued a license or permit by the attorney general subject to the provisions of §§ 11-47-12 and 11-47-15. The term "in good standing" means that at the time of retirement, the police officer was not facing disciplinary action that could have resulted in his or her termination for misconduct or unfitness for office. Any member of the licensing authority, and its agents, servants, and employees shall be immune from suit in any action, civil or criminal, based upon any official act or decision, performed or made in good faith in issuing a license or permit under this chapter.

(c) Notwithstanding any other chapter or section of the general laws of the state of Rhode Island, the attorney general shall not provide or release to any individual, firm, association or corporation the name, address, or date of birth of any person who has held or currently holds a license or permit to carry a concealed pistol or revolver. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the release of any statistical data of a general nature relative to age, gender and racial or ethnic background nor shall it be construed to prevent the release of information to parties involved in any prosecution of § 11-47-8 or in response to a lawful subpoena in any criminal or civil action which said person is a party to such action.

History of Section. (G.L. 1938, ch. 404, § 7; P.L. 1950, ch. 2452, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 11-47-13; G.L. 1956, § 11-47-18; P.L. 1959, ch. 75, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 278, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 387, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 396, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 414, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 268, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 368, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 438, § 1.)