2025 Legal Guide to Selling a Gun in Rhode Island (RI) for 2026

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    • Written by Maley DeVriendt
    • Post authorWritten by: Maley DeVriendt
    • Post dateDecember 19, 2024
    • Updated dateDecember 18, 2025
    • 7 min read

    How to Sell a Gun in RI for Cash: The 2026 CashMyGuns Guide

    How to Sell a Gun in Rhode Island for Cash in 2026

    Selling a gun in Rhode Island is a complex process, particularly for private party transactions. The state has enacted a Universal Background Check law which dictates that all firearm sales, including private transactions, must be processed through a licensed dealer (FFL) or the Rhode Island State Police. This ensures the buyer undergoes a criminal background check (which utilizes the Firearms Instant Check System, FICS) and complies with the mandatory 7-day waiting period required for all firearm purchases.

    This comprehensive regulatory framework means that the legal liability for private sellers is extremely high if the proper transfer protocols are not followed. Failing to comply can result in serious criminal charges. At Cash My Guns, we eliminate all the hassle and liability that comes with selling a gun by handling the entire legal transfer process through our service. However, for those looking to sell on their own, we have researched and compiled a useful guide that explains some of the strict gun regulations in the Ocean State, drawing from the Rhode Island General Laws and official guidance from the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General.

    Best options for selling a gun in Rhode Island in 2026?

    There are many ways to handle the sale of firearms in Rhode Island, giving sellers a variety of options to choose from.

    • Sell to CashMyGuns.com – Rhode Island Best choice in 2026

      CashMyGuns.com provides a reliable online service for anyone looking to sell a firearm. Our process is simple, secure and fully compliant with Rhode Island firearm laws. Share the make, model and condition of your gun, and you’ll receive an instant offer right away.

    • Sell to a licensed local dealer

      One option is to sell your firearm to a licensed local dealer. This approach helps ensure full compliance with Rhode Island firearm laws, but sellers often receive significantly less than true market value when choosing this route.

    • Sell through a private firearm sale

      In Rhode Island, gun owners are permitted to sell firearms through private transactions, but state law mandates that these sales follow the same rigorous procedures as retail purchases. The transfer of any pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun requires a mandatory seven-day waiting period and a background check, even when the transaction occurs between two non-licensed individuals.

      To be eligible for a handgun purchase, buyers must first obtain a pistol/revolver safety certificate—commonly known as a “blue card”—by passing a safety exam administered by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). During the application process, the seller is required to retain copies of the purchase application for six years. If the background check reveals no disqualifying information, the duplicate and triplicate copies of the application are destroyed. These same requirements, including the safety certification and the seven-day waiting period, apply to the private purchase of rifles and shotguns as well.

    • Dispose of a firearm legally

      If the goal is simply to dispose of a firearm legally, owners can surrender it to local law enforcement. This method is safe and compliant, but it may result in losing out on the potential value the firearm could earn in a legitimate sale.

    2026 State laws and requirements for selling a gun in Rhode Island

    Any individual purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer (FFL) must complete the ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record), which the dealer maintains. Furthermore, under the permanent provisions of the Federal Brady Law, the firearms purchaser must undergo a federal background check using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is performed by the licensed firearms dealer.

    In Rhode Island, the NICS check is supplemented by the state’s own Firearms Instant Check System (FICS), which is used for all firearm transactions, including the mandatory private sale transfers. This check indicates to the dealer whether the purchaser’s background legally allows the sale to be completed under both federal and Rhode Island state law.

    2026 Firearm Ownership Restrictions in Rhode Island

    To purchase a firearm legally through a Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer in Rhode Island, the buyer must be at least 18 years old to purchase rifles, shotguns, and ammunition. Buyers looking to purchase handguns must be at least 21 years old.

    In addition to federal restrictions, Rhode Island state law (§11-47-5) strictly prohibits a person from purchasing, owning, carrying, transporting, or possessing any firearm if that person meets any of the following criteria:

    2026 Convictions of Violence in Rhode Island

    • Has been convicted in Rhode Island or elsewhere of a crime of violence (e.g., murder, manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, robbery, burglary).
    • Has entered a plea of nolo contendere to or been convicted of an offense punishable as a felony under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (§12-29-5).

    2026 Misdemeanor Convictions (Domestic Violence Context) in Rhode Island

    Has entered a plea of nolo contendere to or been convicted of any of the following offenses punishable as a misdemeanor under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (§12-29-5):

    • Simple assault
    • Cyberstalking and cyber harassment
    • Violation of a protective order
    • Disorderly conduct (Only if the offense involves the use or attempted use of force or the threatened use of a dangerous weapon).

    (Note: Prohibitions based on the misdemeanors listed above may be lifted after expungement, completion of a one-year filing sentence, or the end of a one-year probationary period that no longer constitutes a conviction per §12-18-3).

    2026 Legal Status and Confinement in Rhode Island

    • Is a fugitive from justice.
    • Is in community confinement (§42-56-20.2) or otherwise subject to electronic surveillance or monitoring as a condition of parole (unless they have not been convicted of a crime of violence).

    2026 Protective Orders in Rhode Island

    Is subject to an active protective order issued in Rhode Island or elsewhere (such orders must have been issued after the restrained person received notice and had an opportunity to be heard).

    FEDERAL DISQUALIFICATION CATEGORIES

    • Conviction (felony or misdemeanor) where the crime has a maximum imprisonment term exceeding 1 year (even if a buyer did not receive actual imprisonment exceeding 1 year).
    • Warrant (felony or out-of-state misdemeanor).
    • Felony pre-trial release.
    • Misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence restraining/stalking/protection order mental health adjudication or commitment.
    • Unlawful use or addicted to a controlled substance (including marijuana).
    • Dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
    • Renounced U.S. citizenship.
    • Illegal alien.

    Save the Hassle, Sell your Gun to Cash My Guns

    The process of selling a firearm in Rhode Island is exceptionally challenging due to strict state laws, including the Universal Background Check requirement for all private sales and the mandatory 7-day waiting period.

    Sellers face severe criminal penalties—imprisonment for up to five years and significant fines—if they fail to use a licensed dealer (FFL) for the transfer, or if they knowingly sell to a prohibited person (R.I. Gen. Laws §11-47-26). Navigating these mandatory steps, and the associated liability, is often overwhelming.

    Cash My Guns offers a simplified, safe, and fully legal alternative for selling your handgun or long gun, ensuring 100% compliance with all Rhode Island and federal regulations.

    We eliminate the hard part by utilizing our Federal Firearms Licensee, who is government-licensed to manage the mandatory legal transfer, conduct the required background check (FICS), observe the waiting period, and fully assume the compliance liability.

    The reality is, you can sell your gun without leaving the house: simply tell us which firearm(s) you wish to sell, we’ll make you an offer, and once we agree on a price, you’ll mail us your gun(s) with all expenses paid by us.

    When we receive your gun(s), we get you paid with a check in your hand within a few days, making the process safe, quick, and completely hassle-free.

    When you use Cash My Guns, you get the following unbeatable benefits!

    Free gun appraisal  –  Fair price for your gun –  Free shipping

    Easy shipment tracking throughout the whole process. Speedy payment!

    Begin our safe and discrete process here.

    2026 Rhode Island General Resources

    “DISCLAIMER”

    The content on this website is provided as a general informational resource and should not be interpreted as legal advice. While CashMyGuns.com makes every effort to gather and present accurate, reliable, and up to date information, we cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the material on this site or any external links.

    Anyone using the information found here does so at their own risk. Before selling or transferring a firearm, users should always consult official Rhode Island firearm law resources or seek guidance from a qualified attorney to ensure full legal compliance.

    2026 Rhode Island Gun Sale FAQ's

    • Is it legal to sell a firearm privately in Rhode Island in 2026?

      Yes, but private sales in Rhode Island must follow strict rules. All firearm transfers in 2026—including private sales—require a background check conducted through a licensed FFL dealer, and the state’s mandatory waiting period applies.

    • Do I need a permit to sell or transfer a handgun in Rhode Island?

      Private sellers do not need a permit, but buyers of handguns must hold a valid Rhode Island handgun safety certificate, often known as a “Blue Card.” The transfer must still be processed through an FFL with a completed background check.

    • Are background checks required for private firearm sales in Rhode Island?

      Yes. Rhode Island requires background checks on all firearm transfers, including private, person-to-person sales. The transfer must be completed through a licensed FFL, who will run the necessary federal and state checks.

    • Does Rhode Island have a waiting period for firearm sales?

      Yes. Rhode Island enforces a mandatory seven-day waiting period for most firearm transfers. This waiting period applies to private sales as well, even when the buyer passes the required background check.

    • Does Rhode Island require firearms to be registered before selling them?

      While Rhode Island does not use the term “registration,” all firearm transfers processed through an FFL are reported to state and local law enforcement, creating an official record of the sale.

    • Can I sell my firearm online if I live in Rhode Island?

      Yes. Rhode Island residents may sell guns online, but the firearm must be shipped to or transferred through a licensed FFL dealer. The buyer must pass background checks and complete the waiting period before taking possession.

    • How does CashMyGuns assist Rhode Island sellers?

      CashMyGuns provides firearm valuation, secure shipping, and fast payment. All Rhode Island sales are finalized through licensed FFL dealers to ensure full compliance with background check and waiting-period laws.

    • How can I verify a buyer’s eligibility in a Rhode Island private sale?

      The FFL dealer handling the transfer is responsible for verifying eligibility. They will run all required state and federal background checks and ensure the buyer meets Rhode Island’s handgun certification requirements when applicable.

    • What should a Rhode Island firearm bill of sale include?

      A bill of sale should list the firearm’s make, model, caliber, and serial number, along with the names and contact information of both parties and the date of the transaction. Even with an FFL involved, keeping your own documentation is recommended.

    • Are NFA-regulated firearms handled differently in Rhode Island?

      Yes. Machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles or shotguns must comply with the National Firearms Act. Federal tax stamps, ATF approval, and background checks are required. Some NFA items are further restricted under Rhode Island state law.

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