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

: 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

: 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.

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 old to purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).

: Washington and Massachusetts require buyers to be 21 for semiautomatic rifles, while allowing 18-year-olds to purchase other long guns.

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

: 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