: Federal law permits unlicensed (private) sellers to transfer handguns to individuals at least 18 years old , and there is no federal minimum age for the private transfer of long guns. State-Specific Variations
: States like California , Colorado , Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont generally require a buyer to be 21 for both handguns and long guns. legal age to buy a gun
: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). : Federal law permits unlicensed (private) sellers to
The legal age to buy a firearm in the United States depends on the type of weapon and whether you are buying from a licensed dealer or a private individual. While federal law sets a baseline, many states have enacted stricter requirements. Federal Requirements The legal age to buy a firearm in
It is important to distinguish between buying and possessing. Federal law generally prohibits anyone under from possessing a handgun (with exceptions for ranching, hunting, or military service), but it does not set a minimum age for the possession of long guns. International Snapshot Outside the U.S., legal ages vary significantly: Minimum Age - Giffords.org
