Age To Buy A Gun | Legal

: 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

: Some states, such as Minnesota, require a permit to purchase handguns or "military-style assault weapons," which are typically only issued to those 21 or older. Ownership vs. Purchase legal age to buy a gun

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) , these are the federal minimum ages: : Federal law permits unlicensed (private) sellers to

: Washington and Massachusetts require buyers to be 21 for semiautomatic rifles, while allowing 18-year-olds to purchase other long guns. Purchase According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

: You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun or long gun ammunition from an FFL dealer.

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

States can raise these minimum ages but cannot lower them below the federal standard. As of 2026, several states have stricter rules: