Rhode Island is among the stricter states when it comes to gun laws. Universal background checks, partial gun owner licensing, purchase permits… There’s a slew of regulations to wade through!
While this means selling guns in Rhode Island is harder than in other states, it’s still doable. We’ll take you through the steps for it below.
And don’t worry: we’ve also simplified the many laws into the points you need to know for a private gun sale.
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General Questions & Answers
Yes, it is legal to sell a gun in Rhode Island, but there are stipulations. A private gun seller can conduct business only with a buyer who has a valid purchase permit. Moreover, they must observe a seven-day waiting period between completing the financial transaction and delivering the firearm to the buyer. The transaction must be processed through an FFL.
No, you can’t. In order to purchase a handgun, a buyer must have a Rhode Island License to Carry Concealed Weapons (LCCW) or obtain a “blue card” from the RI Department of Environmental Management.
When a private individual, rather than a gun store, sells a firearm to someone residing in another state, the transfer must be facilitated by a federally licensed firearm dealer in the buyer's state of residence. The fees associated with this process can vary depending on the specific FFL (Federal Firearms License) involved.
Yes, you need a valid government-issued photo ID to purchase a firearm in Rhode Island. This is generally necessary for the completion of the background check.
In Rhode Island, private sales of firearms require the assistance of a federally licensed dealer (FFL). The seller and buyer meet at the FFL's premises, where the buyer completes a background check. If the check is successful, the dealer will facilitate the transaction and maintain records, as required by law.
Rhode Island did not require gun bills of sale to be notarized.
All prospective firearms purchasers in Rhode Island must complete and sign an application form which the seller must send to the state police or local chief of police for the background check. The police authority has seven days to verify that the applicant's background meets state requirements.
A blue card or hunter education card is needed to purchase both a handgun and any ammunition. Possession of a Pistol/Revolver Safety Certificate, also known as the "blue card," is a required document as part of the process to purchase a handgun and/or ammunition in Rhode Island.
In Rhode Island, individuals must obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun (CCW) in public. Background checks are required for all firearm sales, including private transactions. The minimum age to purchase and possess firearms is 18 for long guns and 21 for handguns. Certain individuals, such as convicted felons and those with domestic violence convictions, are prohibited from possessing firearms. Assault weapons and large-capacity magazines are banned, with exceptions for those who possessed them before the ban.
Rhode Island has strict gun laws.
When a private individual, rather than a gun store, sells a firearm to someone residing in another state, the transfer must be facilitated by a federally licensed firearm dealer in the buyer's state of residence. The fees associated with this process can vary depending on the specific FFL (Federal Firearms License) involved.
Yes, you can sell a gun privately in Rhode Island, but the sale must be conducted through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder. In Rhode Island, individuals who want to acquire firearms are generally required to complete a specific application form when purchasing or acquiring a firearm from any person, including non-licensed gun dealers.
In Rhode Island, it is illegal to own or possess if a person: Has been convicted of a crime of violence. Is a fugitive from justice. Has entered a plea of "no contest" to, or been convicted of, a felony domestic violence offense or specific misdemeanor domestic violence offense.
Find Out How To Sell A Gun In Any State
Disclaimer: The CashforArms.com guides are educational articles, not legal manuals. To get updated and confirmed legal advice, please talk to a lawyer. A local government authority can also answer specific questions about the current state laws.