Judge William E. Smith
Rhode Island U.S. District Court
William Edward Smith was born in December 1959 in Boise, Idaho. He earned an undergraduate degree and his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. He was in private practice in Providence, Rhode Island, and served as part-time judge in West Warwick.
Smith served as a U.S. senator’s state office staff director then returned to private practice. He taught as an adjunct professor at Providence College and Roger Williams University School of Law.
Smith was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. He was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission in November 2002.
Smith was nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in December 2007, but the Senate did not vote on his nomination. He served as chief judge of the district court for six years and assumed senior status in January 2025.
In the News…
Judge William E. Smith of the Rhode Island U.S. District Court ruled that the state of Rhode Island has not violated the Second Amendment by rejecting applications for open carry permits. The state law requires applicants to show a need for openly carrying a firearm.
Judge Smith decided that unrestricted permits “are a privilege and there is no constitutionally protected liberty interest in obtaining one,” despite the U.S. Supreme Court striking down a law in New York that required proof of a need to carry a gun in public.
The judge wrote that the high court’s ruling did not state that the Second Amendment “requires open carry,” saying, even if it did, Rhode Island’s law “is within the Nation’s historical tradition of regulation.”
Contact this Leader…
Did you pray for Judge Smith today? You can let him know at:
The Honorable William E. Smith
Rhode Island U.S. District Court
One Exchange Terrace
Federal Building and Courthouse
Providence, RI 02903
