The United States is unique in that laws vary depending on where you are in the country. Federally, those purchasing a firearm from an FFL dealer (Federal Firearms License) must be twenty-one years of age. However, there are exceptions in some states that allow those purchasing firearms to do so earlier.
We’ve analyzed state and federal laws to clarify the legal age for gun purchases in the United States.
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.
- Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Illinois, Florida, Delaware, and California all have age restrictions above the federally mandated purchasing age.
- 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.
- Many jurisdictions have ordinances where it may be illegal to sell a firearm to a minor despite state laws.
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Methodology
We’ve reviewed the websites of all fifty states to provide a reliable analysis of each state’s firearms purchasing laws. Unfortunately, state laws are incredibly challenging to navigate. We did our best to clarify common misconceptions and misinformation by researching state websites, existing statutes, media coverage, and ATF guidelines.
Here are the ways we obtained the information contained in this article:
- Due to differences between selling and buying firearms, we researched firearm transfer and possession laws in each state. For example, although there may be no minimum age to purchase a firearm, it may be illegal to sell a gun to a minor. We’ve done our best to combat this misinformation by making the distinction in each section.
- We researched municipal laws and state laws using the ATF website. Then, the findings were cross-referenced with state websites to ensure accuracy.
- Using ATF-published ordinances allows us to better understand rules and regulations at the local level. Although a state may allow purchasing/selling a gun to a minor, local jurisdictions may prohibit it. Therefore, we’ve included the highest minimum age statewide (to prevent anyone from unlawfully purchasing or selling a firearm in a specific jurisdiction).
- Researching private sales legislation allowed us to cover better whether minors could purchase firearms at ages younger than nationally mandated.
- We cross-referenced existing age restrictions with local news articles and current statutes to avoid outdated information.
State and federal laws change annually. The information outlined below is up-to-date as of August 2024. It may be necessary to verify state laws before attempting to purchase or sell a firearm or ammunition to a child.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Own a Gun in The US: Comprehensive Review by State
To further compound the issue, the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Community Act requires those selling “for profit” to obtain their FFL. Unfortunately, we don’t have much clarification on what this means other than the government is very confused about why we would be selling from our own collections to begin with, and there’s no way to trace firearms.
The following sections cover the legal age for firearm purchasing at the state level. However, those buying handguns at ages younger than 21 and long guns younger than 18 must purchase from a private seller.
Note: State laws often change quickly. Therefore, checking your state’s updated statutes before purchasing or selling a firearm to a minor is important.
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 nineteen.
- 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 sixteen-year-olds to possess a firearm with parental consent, but it is unlawful for anyone under 18 to purchase a long gun from an FFL or 21 to purchase a handgun, per federal law.
- The minimum age to buy a pistol in Alaska is 21.
- The minimum age to buy a rifle in Alaska is 18.
Click here for a comprehensive overview of Alaska State Gun Statutes.
Arizona
Similar to Alaska, Arizona has no particular statute against transferring a firearm to a minor. Therefore, residents must obey federal laws (18 and 21, respectively) to purchase long guns and handguns from FFL dealers.
However, private sales are permitted, and 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, it’s reasonable that 18-year-olds are allowed to buy both handguns and long guns from private sellers.
- 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. Furthermore, the state does prohibit minors from possessing handguns.
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.
Wow! There are way more state gun laws to discover! Check out the rest of How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy A Gun: A State of Ages on Ammo.com!