Minimum Age for Gun Sales and Transfers
Under federal law – Handguns
Licensed firearms dealers Dealers may not sell or deliver a handgun or ammunition for a handgun to any person the dealer has reasonable cause to believe is under age
21.
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Unlicensed persons Unlicensed persons may not sell, deliver or otherwise transfer a handgun or handgun ammunition to any person the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under age
18, with certain exceptions*.
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Minimum Age for Gun Possession: Subject to limited exceptions
*, federal law prohibits the possession of a handgun or handgun ammunition by any person under the age of 18.
10 Federal law provides no minimum age for the possession of long guns or long gun ammunition.
*Exceptions: Federal law provides exceptions for the temporary transfer and possession of handguns and handgun ammunition for specified activities, including employment, ranching, farming, target practice and hunting.
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