Legal Age To Buy A Gun [Direct · 2024]

: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

: 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

States can raise these minimum ages but cannot lower them below the federal standard. As of 2026, several states have stricter rules: : You must be at least 21 years

: Washington and Massachusetts require buyers to be 21 for semiautomatic rifles, while allowing 18-year-olds to purchase other long guns. Purchase States can raise these minimum ages but

: 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.

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