Sell My Gun - Key Points:
- Rhode Island requires background checks on all gun sales.
- You can’t sell handguns to people under 21, and long guns to people under 18.
- Firearm application forms are necessary even in Rhode Island private gun sales.
- Private sellers have to go through federally licensed dealers to transfer guns for sale.
- You can quickly sell your gun and get a quote right now with Cash for Arms.
Rhode Island Gun Laws for Firearm Sellers
You can get details in the ATF compilation of Rhode Island gun laws, but here are the main points:
- Private gun sales - Legal, but with a caveat. Rhode Island only allows private gun sales if an FFL (federally licensed gun dealer) processes the transfer.
- Background checks - Required. Rhode Island even requires background checks on buyers in private gun sales.
- Firearm purchase application forms - Required for the background check to start.
- Waiting periods - 7 days. The count starts from 12:00 (noon) of the day after the purchase application was submitted. Buyers who are law enforcement officers are exempted. You can see more exceptions in RI Gen L § 11-47-35.1.
- Gun sales tax - Currently 7% on all guns sold in the state.
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Sell Guns Easier in Rhode Island!
Why worry about paying FFLs for a gun transfer when you can skip the fee and sell straight to one? We do all of the heavy lifting too when you sell guns to us. Try us now!
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Who Can Buy Guns in Rhode Island?
- Minimum age - 21 for handguns, 18 for long guns.
- Handgun permit - Required for handgun purchases, along with a Blue Card proving completion of a handgun safety course.
- Right to possess firearms - Required. Check that your buyer isn't on the list below (from the GCA and RI Gen L § 11-47-5):
- Illegal aliens
- Fugitives from justice
- Convicts of any crime of violence
- Convicts of offenses punishable as felonies
- Convicts of certain offenses punishable as misdemeanors under RI Gen. L. § 12-29-5
- Those who enter nolo contendere pleas to offenses under the 2 previous items
- Those adjudicated mentally incompetent
- Those committed involuntarily to mental institutions
- Those unlawfully using or addicted to controlled substances
- Those with dishonorable discharges from the Armed Forces
- Those who have renounced citizenship of the United States
- Those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence crimes
- Those subject to domestic violence restraining or protective orders
Options for Selling Guns in Rhode Island
Option 1: Selling Guns to Cash for Arms
Pros:
- Easy sale with only 3 steps
- No need for background checks
- Legal sale to an FFL
- Great reviews and market prices
- Several options for payment methods
Cons:
- You have to ship your gun
Method
- Show us details of your gun through our website and be as detailed as possible.
- Wait for an offer and accept it, then let us arrange free insured shipping.
- Get paid in 24 hours of it reaching us.
For large gun collections, you may want to check out liquidation services in Rhode Island.
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Get a No-Obligation Offer for Your Gun
We often send offers to sellers within hours of receiving submissions. Try showing us your gun's details now and see what we'll pay for it. No obligations, just honest money!
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Option 2: Rhode Island Gun Store
Pros:
- Easy sale with no need for background checks
- Legal sale to an FFL
- Payment on the spot
Cons:
- Low offers
- Some stores may use high-pressure tactics
Method
- Call local gun shops to find ones interested in your gun.
- Unload the gun and clean it to prepare it for appraisal.
- Take the gun to the interested stores for an appraisal and to get offers.
- Get as many offers as you can before choosing the best one.
Option 3: Local Pawn Shop
Pros:
- Easy sale with no need for background checks
- Legal sale to an FFL dealer
- Payment on the spot
Cons:
- Usually make the lowest offers
Method
Use the same method as for gun shops.
Option 4: Private Buyer
Pros:
- Often pay more than local gun shops/pawnbrokers
Cons:
- High-effort and often slow sale process
- Buyer background checks are required
- Added legal responsibility to the seller
Method
- Advertise your gun among locals, e.g. with flyers posted at shooting clubs’ boards or through word-of-mouth.
- Wait for buyers to reach out to you and negotiate over the terms.
- Choose the best offer and meet your buyer at a Rhode Island FFL's shop to start the background check and sale transfer.
- Give the gun to the FFL for safekeeping and wait 7 days for the background check to clear.
- Collect the payment from your buyer and let him collect the gun from the dealer.
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Get THE Best Offer for Your Guns!
Your guns could be worth more than you think. Let us do a free appraisal, then send an offer. We often pay top market prices for used guns in RI, as you'll see!
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Sell a Gun in Rhode Island Fast, Safe, and Easy
Now you know how to sell a gun in Rhode Island. If you want it done in as easy and profitable a way as possible, consider Cash for Arms.
We don't make you go through hoops to sell your gun. You can sell it to us from your home in just 3 steps. At the same time, you enjoy the peace of mind that comes from selling to an FFL dealer. We basically make gun sales in Rhode Island simpler.
Try submitting your gun details to us here to see. You can also contact us at (904) 977-5477 to talk to one of our team members.