Report Highlights: Federal law states that eligible citizens must be over 21 to purchase a handgun and over 18 to purchase a long gun; however, state laws vary regarding private purchases.
-
California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont all have age restrictions above the federally mandated minimums.
-
Kentucky has no minimum age to purchase a long gun in a private sale.
-
Twenty-three states allow those between 18 and 21 to purchase handguns in private sales.
Ammo.com strives to provide accurate and reliable information. You can view our sources HERE.
This article was neither written nor reviewed by an attorney. The following information is not intended to be construed as legal advice.
Related reports include: Gun Control Laws and Trends | Gun Laws vs Crime Rates | Gun Ownership by State | How Many Gun Owners in America
Methodology
State laws are challenging to navigate, but we did our best to dispel common misconceptions and misinformation by researching existing statutes, media coverage, ATF guidelines, and all fifty states’ official websites.
Here are the ways we obtained the information contained in this article:
-
Some states have no laws on purchasing firearms, but will have laws on selling them. We researched firearm transfer and possession laws in each state. For example, although there may be no minimum age to purchase a firearm in one state, it may be illegal to sell a gun to a minor in the same.
-
We researched municipal laws and state laws using the ATF website. We cross-referenced our findings with state websites to ensure accuracy.
-
We referred to ATF-published ordinances for a deeper understanding of rules and regulations at the local level. Although a state may allow purchasing/selling a gun to a minor, local jurisdictions within that state may prohibit doing so. We therefore cited the highest minimum age statewide.
-
We researched private sales legislation to discern whether minors could purchase firearms at ages younger than the federally mandated minimum.
-
We cross-referenced existing age restrictions with local news articles and current statutes to avoid outdated information.
State and federal laws may change annually. The information below is up to date as of February, 2026. It is necessary to verify state laws before attempting to purchase or sell a firearm or ammunition.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Own a Gun in the U.S.: Comprehensive Review by State
Federal laws apply to all states. The federal minimum age to purchase a pistol from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer is 21; to purchase a pistol from any source, 18. The minimum age to purchase a long gun from an FFL dealer is 18, but the minimum purchase age for long guns in private sales varies among states.
Federal laws apply throughout all fifty states. The following sections review purchasing age requirements under state laws where federal laws do not already prohibit sales.
Note: State laws change often. Checking your state’s current statutes before purchasing or selling a firearm is crucial.
Alabama
In Alabama, it is illegal to transfer a firearm to a minor without their parent’s consent. The state of Alabama defines a minor as any person under the age of 19.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Alabama is 19.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Alabama is 19.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Alabama Gun Laws.
Alaska
Alaska doesn’t have any special restrictions on firearms purchases by age. It is legal for 16-year-olds to possess firearms with parental consent, but it is unlawful for anyone under 18 to purchase a long gun from an FFL or under 21 to purchase a handgun, per federal law.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Alaska is 18.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Alaska is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Alaska State Gun Statutes.
Arizona
Like Alaska, Arizona has no particular statute against transferring a firearm to a minor.
Therefore, residents must obey federal laws to purchase long guns and handguns from FFL dealers (18 and 21, respectively).
Private sales are permitted. Those between 18 and 20 can openly carry firearms in the state.
Since there are no laws prohibiting the sale of firearms to adults, and transferring firearms to minors without parental consent is a crime.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Arizona is 18.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Arizona is 18.
Click these links for a comprehensive overview of Arizona State Gun Statutes and Arizona State Firearm Sale Statutes.
Arkansas
Arkansas does not have specific statutes prohibiting the transfer of long guns to minors (individuals under 18 years old). The state does prohibit minors from possessing handguns, however.
The state has no statutes prohibiting or regulating private sales. Therefore, the age to purchase a handgun or rifle from a private seller is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Arkansas is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Arkansas is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Arkansas state gun statutes.
California
Those purchasing firearms in California must go through a California-licensed dealer. A licensed dealer cannot sell any firearm to an individual under 21 unless that individual has a valid hunting license, is a qualified law enforcement officer, is active military, or has been honorably discharged from the military.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in California is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in California is 21.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of California state gun laws.
Colorado
Colorado’s minimum age to purchase any firearm is 21. The only exceptions included in this state are for active military members or those approved for ownership by the P.O.S.T. Board.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Colorado is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Colorado is 21.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Colorado state gun statutes.
Connecticut
Connecticut does not allow private sales or transfers, and purchasers must obtain a purchase certificate from the state. Upon acquiring the necessary approval, those 18 and over can purchase long guns, and those 21 and older can buy handguns.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Connecticut is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Connecticut is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Connecticut state gun statutes.
Delaware
Delaware raised the age for firearm transfers from 18 to 21. Excluding those who possess a firearm for military, law enforcement, or hunting purposes, it is illegal for anyone under 21 to possess or purchase any firearm in Delaware (unless it’s a BB gun, in which case they still need to be under the supervision of someone 21 or older).
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Delaware is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Delaware is 21.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Delaware state gun statutes.
Florida
Although Florida raised the minimum age to purchase any firearm only a few years ago, the state’s House recently passed legislation to decrease it again. It is still illegal to sell a firearm to any person under 21 years of age (unless they are military or law enforcement).
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Florida is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Florida is 21.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Florida state gun statutes.
Georgia
Georgia does not prohibit private sales, and only restricts firearm sales to minors (those under 18). Residents can purchase handguns and long guns at 18 years of age so long as they aren’t already prohibited, and the sale is private.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Georgia is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Georgia is 18.
Click these links for a comprehensive overview of Georgia state gun statutes.
Hawaii
Residents of Hawaii must obtain a permit before purchasing a firearm. This permit is only issued to those 21 or older. Therefore, residents must be 21 to purchase a handgun or long gun.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Hawaii is 21.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Hawaii is 21.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Hawaii gun purchasing statutes.
Idaho
Idaho residents can purchase a long gun or handgun at 18 through a private seller.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Idaho is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Idaho is 18.
You can find more info on it here: Idaho State Gun Statutes.
Illinois
Illinois requires a Firearm’s Owner Identification FOID card (also known as a permit-to-purchase) to buy any firearm. A FOID can only be obtained by those over 21, unless an eligible parent or guardian sponsors the buyer. However, the state explicitly prohibits 2-year-olds from purchasing easily concealable firearms such as handguns and semiautomatic centerfire rifles.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Illinois is 21.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Illinois is 21, although some may purchase younger with a parent or guardian’s consent.
Click these links for a comprehensive overview of Illinois FOID FAQ and Illinois state gun statutes.
Indiana
The minimum age to purchase a handgun or long gun in Indiana is 18. However, this applies only to private sales when the buyer is younger than 21 and purchasing a handgun.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Indiana is 18.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Indiana is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Indiana state gun statutes.
Iowa
It is illegal to sell or make available a rifle or shotgun to an individual under 18 in Iowa. It is also illegal to sell or make available a handgun to anyone under 21.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Iowa is 21.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Iowa is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Iowa state gun statutes.
Kansas
In Kansas, it is legal to transfer a firearm to any individual over the age of 18 (so long as they aren’t prohibited from possessing the firearm). Furthermore, it’s illegal to transfer a firearm with a barrel shorter than 12" to anyone under the age of 18.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Kansas is 18.
-
The minimum age to buy a rifle in Kansas is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Kansas state gun statutes.
Kentucky
Kentucky statute states that it is illegal to give a juvenile (an individual under 18 years of age) a handgun. Only those over 21 may carry a handgun without a permit. Kentucky law does not mention a minimum age for purchasing or possessing rifles and shotguns.
-
The minimum age to buy a pistol in Kentucky is 18.
-
Kentucky has no set minimum age for rifle purchases in private sales.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Kentucky gun laws.
Louisiana
Like many other states, Louisiana does not prohibit private sales. However, it is illegal for an individual under 18 to possess a handgun there. It is also illegal to “deliver for value” any firearm to a minor. Therefore, the legal age to purchase a firearm in Louisiana (private sales only) is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a pistol in Louisiana is 18.
-
The minimum age to purchase a rifle in Louisiana is 18.
Click these links for a comprehensive overview of Louisiana state gun statutes.
Continue reading How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy a Gun: A State Guide 2026 on Ammo.com