Start by going to Aces’s Defense in Danielson Ct.
Get yourself signed up for Steve’s RI CCW permit shooting qualification. You will need this qualification/sign off as part of your application.
You will want to apply through a local authority RIGL 11-47-11, NOT 11-47-18(a) the attorney general.
Ace’s has a decent handle on and rapport with a handful of 2A friendly RI town police chiefs who issue, and how backlogged they are on permit processing in each town.
Once you sign up and qualify, Aces will steer you towards an issuing town/chief, but obviously will not promise you anything.
You will need three very good character letters, an Very Good attention to fine details on the chiefs application, and a lot of polite patience.
From my experience, it was an easy and painless albiet, slightly drawn out experience.
That said, the 3 month start of application process to permit in hand, is worth the weight of gold to me living in Eastern Ct.