As a business owner selling firearms, you need to be aware of the minimum age to buy a gun in the US in your state along with many other rules. The safe and lawful operation of your business depends on following the guidelines and regulations surrounding the purchase of weapons. Still, these rules and regulations also serve to protect our young people. Tragically, suicide is a significant factor in young people’s deaths, and all too frequently, guns are the weapon of choice. Read to know how old you have to be to buy a gun in the US.
Many states have passed legislation limiting the age at which minors and young adults can purchase firearms to deal with this problem. Even though these laws are a positive step in that direction, the safety of our youth still needs to be prioritized more.
Remembering that adult citizens have a constitutionally protected right to own firearms is crucial. The minimum age to buy a gun in the US varies from state to state, so it’s vital to become familiar with the rules in your community.
At What Age Can You Buy a Gun in the US?
The answer to this question isn’t straightforward. You need to clearly understand the regulations that have been put in place to ensure the responsible sale and transfer of firearms. These regulations include Federal and State Laws.
Federal Laws
The minimum age to buy a handgun from a registered dealer is set at 21 by federal law. Any sale or transfer of a handgun to a person under 21 is against the law, which goes for both public and private sales. This law was implemented to stop minors from buying firearms and lessen the number of crimes children commit with weapons. The law also covers the sale of handguns over the phone or by mail, and authorized sellers must check a legitimate photo ID to confirm the buyer’s age.
State Laws
Although federal law specifies the minimum age, some states have stricter rules and place higher age restrictions. For instance, California requires that buyers of handguns are at least 21 years old and buyers of long guns are at least 18 years old.
In New York, a person must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun and 18 years old to buy a rifle or shotgun. Before attempting to purchase a firearm, it is essential to familiarize yourself with your state’s specific laws, as the minimum age to buy a long gun varies by state.
States with the Strongest laws to buy a gun in the US.
California
With an “A” grade from Giffords, a leading organization devoted to ending gun violence, the Golden State stands out with its stringent gun laws.
California was ranked seventh in the nation for both gun ownership and gun death rates in 2022, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to hasten the passage of gun safety legislation after a tragic shooting in Texas.
This legislation will include limited sales to minors (under 21) and unlicensed “ghost guns,” allowing gun violence victims and governments to sue firearms manufacturers and sellers.
New Jersey
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Jersey is the only other state with an “A” rating from Giffords. It has the third-lowest firearm mortality rate in the nation, behind only Massachusetts and Hawaii.
The Garden State has the lowest firearm ownership rate in the country, despite Everytown giving it a lower ranking (eighth place). Governor Phil Murphy demanded action on gun control in response to a shooting in Texas and the implementation of his comprehensive Gun Safety 3.0 package, which has provisions for secure firearm storage, training, and tracking. A person must be 21 years old, according to the law to purchase a firearm.
Connecticut
Connecticut introduced several gun control measures in the wake of the heartbreaking shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, including background checks for all gun purchases, an expanded ban on assault weapons, and limitations on high-capacity ammunition.
With an “A-” grade from Giffords, this earned Connecticut a third-place ranking for the strength of its gun laws. Since Sandy Hook, Senator Chris Murphy has been a strong proponent of gun control and is currently leading Democrats in discussions on a new federal gun bill in response to recent shootings. Gun purchases in the state are restricted to those at least 21 years old.
Hawaii
According to CDC data, Aloha State has the lowest firearm mortality rate in the nation. In addition, with only 9% of households owning guns, Hawaii shares the lowest gun ownership rate with New Jersey and ranks second in Everytown’s rankings for the strength of its gun laws, placing fourth in Gifford’s rankings.
Hawaii was ranked second-worst for gun-friendly states by Guns & Ammo magazine, behind New York and ahead of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California. According to the state, a person must be 21 years old to buy a firearm.
States with the Weakest laws to buy a gun in the US.
Arkansas
The state of Arkansas has the nation’s laxest gun laws, according to Giffords, an organization that advocates for gun control. The state has abolished the need for a permit to carry a firearm, and there are no longer any gun-free zones in cities.
Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson has stated that he is open to raising the age requirement for purchasing semiautomatic rifles and weapons similar to the AR-15 from 18 to 21. In Arkansas, the legal age to buy a firearm is currently 18.
Wyoming
The second-to-last state on Giffords’ list, Wyoming, has made it simpler for citizens to carry weapons in public without a background check or permit. Unfortunately, the state has the third-highest rate of firearm fatalities in the nation and has done nothing to address this problem. The state has 90% more gun deaths than the national average, startlingly 25.9 gun deaths per 100,000 residents.
Idaho
Due to its poorly enforced gun laws, Giffords also gave Idaho an “F.” It is one of the five states with the highest rate of gun homicides and has the fourth-highest rate of gun fatalities. The state lacks regulations like background checks, assault weapon restrictions, and open carry laws, which makes it difficult for local police to enforce federal gun laws. Despite this, Idaho was ranked as the second-best state for gun owners in 2020 by Guns & Ammo magazine, just behind Arizona.
Missouri
Giffords gave Missouri an “F” grade, placing it 47th in the nation for the strength of its gun laws. The state was ranked 41st overall by Everytown. It’s important to note that St. Louis has one of the highest rates of murders committed with guns in the nation. In Missouri, 18 is the minimum age to purchase a firearm.
Considerations for Gun Ownership
It is crucial to put safety first when it comes to owning firearms. You need to consider a few key factors before deciding to sell a firearm to make a responsible and knowledgeable decision, especially for young people. Here are some inquiries to consider:
- Have you completed the required training and background checks to get a legitimate federal firearms license?
- Does the customer understand how to handle and store a gun safely?
- Do they have a strategy in place for safe and secure storage?
- What prior firearms experience do they have?
- Do they understand all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding firearms?
Handguns
Handguns have their own set of factors to take into account. Licensed dealers are not allowed to sell handguns to people under the age of 21, following federal law. Handguns may not be sold or transferred by unlicensed dealers to anyone they suspect is younger than 18. It’s important to remember that these limitations may change depending on the state and whether the buyer deals with a licensed or unlicensed dealer.
Long Guns
Federal laws apply to long guns, including rifles and shotguns. Minors may not purchase these weapons under 18 from licensed dealers. Rifles and shotguns and ammunition may be sold or transferred by unlicensed individuals to anyone, regardless of age. The age restrictions for licensed dealers do not apply to unlicensed sellers. Dealing with unlicensed sellers requires extra caution because they might not have the same expertise or familiarity with firearms laws.
Conclusion
Both federal and state laws heavily regulate the sale and transfer of firearms to prioritize the safety of children and reduce firearm-related crimes committed by minors. According to federal law, the minimum age to purchase a handgun from a registered dealer is 21, but some states have stricter laws with higher age restrictions.
Because the minimum age to purchase a long gun varies by state, firearms business owners must become familiar with their state’s specific laws and regulations. Some states, such as California, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Hawaii, have strong gun laws with a high minimum age requirement for firearm purchases. In contrast, others, such as Arkansas and Wyoming, have weaker laws with lower age requirements.
