Legal Age To Buy A Gun May 2026

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

The legal age to buy a firearm in the United States depends on the type of weapon and whether you are buying from a licensed dealer or a private individual. While federal law sets a baseline, many states have enacted stricter requirements. Federal Requirements legal age to buy a gun

: 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. : Washington and Massachusetts require buyers to be