A comprehensive guide
How to sell a gun in Rhode Island
To legally sell a firearm in Rhode Island, it's essential to be well-versed in both state and federal laws to guarantee a lawful and seamless sale. This knowledge is vital whether you've been a firearm owner for years or have newly acquired a gun through inheritance. Understanding your legal responsibilities and available options is key to ensuring a compliant transaction.
Options for selling a gun in Rhode Island
There are numerous options available when considering the sale of firearms in the state of Rhode Island.
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Sell to WeBuyGuns.com
- Description
- WeBuyGuns.com is a trusted online platform for selling firearms. We offer a straightforward, secure and legally compliant way to sell your gun in Rhode Island. Simply provide the make, model and condition of your firearm and we’ll give you an instant quote.
- Our Reviews
- Read our reviews
- Our Process
- Our process
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Sell to a local dealer
- Licensed dealers can handle all aspects of the sale, ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws.
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Sell through a private transaction
- Direct sales to individuals are permitted, but come with specific legal responsibilities, both for the state of Rhode Island and federally.
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State laws for selling a gun in Rhode Island
Rhode Island's firearm legislation is more restrictive than most other states. For example, Rhode Island has a restriction on magazines holding more than 10 rounds, the minimum age to buy long guns and ammunition is 21 and Rhode Island prohibits open carry of loaded long guns in public.
General resources:
Identification requirements
Rhode Island requires background checks for all firearms transfers in the state and thus identification is required.
Waiting periods
Rhode Island requires a seven-day waiting period before a buyer can take possession of a firearm. This waiting period applies to all firearm purchases, unless the buyer is a law enforcement officer or has a locally issued concealed carry permit. Details of the legislation can be found in R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35.
Age requirements
In Rhode Island, you cannot purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition unless you are 21 years of age or older per R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-37.
Background checks in private sales
As of 2013, Rhode Island requires both licensed dealers and private unlicensed sellers to conduct background checks through the state police or local chief of police. Details can be found in R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-35
Ineligible persons
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-5 outlines prohibited possession of firearms by certain persons.
Generally the following types of individuals are prohibited from purchasing firearms
- Convicted criminals
- Persons deemed mentally incompetent
- Drug addicts
- Habitual drunkards
- Unnaturalized foreign born persons - R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-7
Rhode Island residents must follow federal laws for private transactions
Federal law requires that the buyer of a firearm must be legally eligible to own a gun.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provides guidelines for these transactions.
Trusted by firearm sellers nationwide
Sell with confidence — We have purchased firearms from users in all 50 states, including Rhode Island, paying out over 2.9 million to customers on our platform.
- Sellers on our platform
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- Paid out to sellers
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Selling your gun - our process
The first step is to start an offer.
Once your email is validated, you can submit a firearm or multiple firearms in your collection by answering a few brief questions and uploading photos. Within 24-36 business hours, we’ll send you an official offer for each item. You’ll have two weeks to decide if you’d like to move forward. If you accept, WeBuyGuns.com will provide pre-paid shipping labels so you can safely send us your collection. Once received, we’ll confirm delivery and issue payment via paper check or ACH—your choice. The entire process typically takes about a week, from submission to payment.
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Tell us about your gun
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Fill out a short form and upload a few photos to help us identify your firearms and their condition. We will be in touch with you throughout the entire process.
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We verify the make, model and condition
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We review your information and images to assess the condition of your firearms and determine a fair market value.
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We make you an offer
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We will present you with an offer for sale. If you accept the offer, we will provide you with a shipping label and we pay for shipping!
Frequently asked questions
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, reach out to customer support or view all FAQ's
- Is this legal in Rhode Island and can WeBuyGuns.com purchase my firearm?
- Yes. We are a federally licensed firearms dealer located in the state of Indiana. You, the seller, are covered under our license just as you would be if you walked into our store. There are no laws preventing you from selling your firearm to us.
- Does WeBuyGuns.com purchase firearm estates or gun collections?
- Yes. We are happy to work with you on a collection or estate. Please contact us directly rather than trying to upload multiple items through the offer form. .
- How long are offers good for?
- Offers are valid for 14 days.
- Can I sell multiple firearms?
- Absolutely! Once firearm information has been submitted, you will have the ability to submit additional firearms for review and offers. These firearms will be viewable from your user panel, which you access from your initial offer email. If you have a large number of firearms or an estate, it's best to contact us directly (just to save you a lot of time).
- How do I get paid?
- We will either send you a check, or we will issue the funds via a secure ACH direct deposit. During the offer approval process, you will tell us which method of payment you prefer.
Comprehensive guides for selling a firearm in every state
Understand the process of selling a firearm in your state with our in-depth guides. We break down local, state and federal regulations while providing the resources you need for a smooth, legal transaction.
Valuation guides by manufacturer
Curious about your firearm’s value or what current market pricing is? Our manufacturer specific valuation guides provide insights into pricing, demand and key factors that affect value—helping you sell with confidence.
The content on WeBuyGuns.com is provided as a service to the online community. While we strive to offer reliable and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Users should exercise their own judgment when using our website and consult appropriate legal resources or an attorney, especially when selling firearms, as we do not provide legal advice.