Legal Age To - Buy A Gun

Federal law prohibits licensed dealers from selling handguns or handgun ammunition to anyone under 21 .

Several states, including California , Florida , Delaware, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, have raised the minimum age for purchasing all firearms—including long guns—to 21 . Exceptions and Legal Challenges Minimum Age - Giffords.org legal age to buy a gun

In at least 23 states, it remains legal for individuals aged 18 to 20 to purchase handguns through private, unlicensed sellers, though federal law generally prohibits possession by those under 18. Long Guns (Rifles/Shotguns): Licensed Dealers (FFLs): The federal minimum age is 18 . Federal law prohibits licensed dealers from selling handguns

Twenty-one is the minimum federal age to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, while the minimum age for long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, is 18. However, these laws serve as a federal "floor," and many states have implemented stricter requirements or allow certain exceptions for private sales. While federal law sets a baseline, individual states

While federal law sets a baseline, individual states often impose higher age limits or additional restrictions.