How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a Gun?

The two federal numbers

Most of the confusion about gun-buying age comes from one sentence of federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1). It says a licensed importer, manufacturer, dealer or collector may not sell or deliver a firearm or ammunition to anyone the licensee knows or has reason to believe is under 18. Then it adds a second tier: if the firearm or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for one, the minimum is 21.

Put plainly, from a licensed dealer:

That "other than a shotgun or rifle" wording matters. A firearm that is legally neither, such as some receivers sold on their own or certain pistol-format guns, can fall under the 21 rule even if it looks like a long gun. If you're unsure how a gun is classified, ask the dealer before you fill out the form.

The under-21 background check

Every dealer sale runs through the national background check system. Since the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was signed on June 25, 2022, buyers under 21 get an enhanced version under § 922(t)(1)(C). The check reaches into state and local records, including juvenile records, and a disqualifying crime committed before 18 can now block a purchase.

The timing works like this, per the statute:

1. If the system clears the buyer with no flag, the sale can proceed normally.
2. If no juvenile record needs review, the dealer waits up to three business days for a response, as with other checks.
3. If the system reports a possibly disqualifying juvenile record that needs more review, the dealer must wait up to 10 business days before transferring.

Those under-21 provisions are written to expire on September 30, 2032, apart from certain juvenile-record rules. If you're 18 to 20 and your purchase is delayed, that's likely why. It doesn't mean you've been denied.

Private sales and juveniles

Federal age rules look different when no dealer is involved. Section 922(x) makes it illegal for anyone to sell, deliver or otherwise transfer a handgun, or ammunition suitable only for a handgun, to a juvenile, defined as a person under 18. It also makes it illegal for a juvenile to possess one.

There are narrow exceptions in § 922(x)(3), including temporary possession for employment, ranching or farming, target practice, hunting or a handgun safety course, generally with the parent or guardian's prior written consent carried by the juvenile, and in line with state and local law. There are also exceptions for military service, inheritance of title and defense against a home intruder.

Federal law doesn't set a separate minimum age for private sales of rifles and shotguns. That is a gap many states fill themselves, so don't read "no federal rule" as "no rule."

Private sales also have to stay inside state lines. Section 922(a)(5) bars an unlicensed person from transferring a firearm to another unlicensed person who lives in a different state, with limited exceptions. An out-of-state purchase goes through a dealer. See our guide to FFL transfers for how that works.

How states raise the bar

States can set higher minimums than federal law, and many do. According to the Giffords Law Center's state survey, last updated July 27, 2026:

• 21 for all firearms, including long guns: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois and New York.
• Vermont: 21 for handguns and long guns, unless the buyer has a hunter safety certificate.
• Partial rules: Massachusetts sets 21 for semi-automatic long guns (18 for others), and Washington sets 21 for semi-automatic rifles.

Many states also have their own rules on possession by minors, permits, waiting periods and exceptions for hunting. Some cities and counties add more. We're not listing all of them here, because they change and a stale list is worse than no list. Use the official sources: your state's statutes, your state police or attorney general's firearm page, and a local attorney if your situation is unusual.

Common mix-ups

A few misunderstandings come up again and again at the counter.

"Buying" and "owning" are different questions

The federal dealer ages in § 922(b)(1) govern who a licensee may sell to. They don't, by themselves, set the age at which someone may possess a gun. Federal law addresses juvenile handgun possession separately in § 922(x), and states write their own possession rules. So "I can own it" and "a dealer can sell it to me" may have different answers.

Handgun ammunition follows the handgun rule

Because § 922(b)(1) covers ammunition too, a dealer applies the 21 minimum to ammunition that isn't for a rifle or shotgun. Some calibers are used in both handguns and rifles, and stores handle that differently. Expect some dealers to ask for ID and apply the stricter age when a caliber is ambiguous.

A gift isn't a loophole

Someone who is old enough can't buy a gun on behalf of someone who isn't allowed to buy it, and then hand it over as a way around the rules. If you're thinking about a gift for a young person, read your state's law on transfers to minors first, and keep in mind the federal juvenile handgun rule above.

Military service doesn't change the dealer age

People are often surprised that a 19-year-old service member still can't buy a handgun from a dealer under § 922(b)(1). The juvenile possession exception for members of the armed forces in § 922(x) is a different rule, about under-18 possession in the line of duty, not purchases.

Hunting licenses aren't purchase permits

A youth hunting license lets a young hunter take game under state rules. It doesn't change who a dealer may sell a gun to. Vermont is a notable example where a hunter safety certificate does matter for buying, per the Giffords survey, which is exactly why you should check your own state.

What the dealer will ask

When you buy from a licensed dealer, expect to:

1. Show government ID with your date of birth and current address. The dealer uses it to confirm both age and state of residence.
2. Fill out the federal transaction form truthfully. Lying on it is a serious federal crime, and buying for someone who can't legally buy (a "straw purchase") is too.
3. Wait for the background check, which may take longer if you're under 21.
4. Follow any state steps, such as a permit, safety certificate or waiting period.

Some dealers set their own minimum age above the legal one as store policy. That's their right; ask before you drive across town.

Buying for a young shooter

Parents often ask whether they can buy a gun for their teenager. In general, a parent buying a gun for their own use and then supervising a child's use is a different thing from a straw purchase, but state laws on minors, gifts and storage vary a lot. Read your state's rules first, and keep the gun under your control and locked when not in supervised use.

If the goal is a first gun for a young shooter, start with a long gun built for smaller frames. A youth-sized 20 gauge like the Mossberg 500 Bantam or a .22 bolt rifle such as the Ruger American Rimfire in .22 LR are common starting points. For a first deer rifle, the Mossberg Patriot Super Bantam in 6.5 Creedmoor is listed with a shorter youth stock and an included 3-9x40 scope. Inexpensive .22 LR ammunition makes practice affordable.

Fit and recoil matter more than caliber for a new shooter; our guide to easy-to-shoot guns covers that. And whoever is shooting, the four basic rules apply every time: treat every gun as loaded, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire, and know your target and what is beyond it.

Storage once it's home

Age rules don't stop at the counter. Many states have laws about storing firearms where minors can reach them. Regardless of the law, locked storage is the responsible default in any home with kids or teen visitors. A lockbox for a handgun or a safe for long guns costs less than most people expect.

The bottom line

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications, retailer listings and published sources. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and the law where you live.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.