Buying A Gun Requirements (2025)

Federal law does not require background checks for sales between private individuals (non-dealers), but many states (e.g., California, Washington, New Jersey) require these transfers to be processed through an FFL to ensure a background check is conducted.

You must be at least 18 years old to buy a long gun (rifle or shotgun) and at least 21 years old for handguns. buying a gun requirements

Purchasing a firearm in the United States involves a combination of federal laws and additional state-specific regulations. While federal law sets a baseline, individual states may have more restrictive requirements. Federal law does not require background checks for

Certain states mandate a cooling-off period (often 3 to 10 days) between the purchase and taking possession of the firearm. While federal law sets a baseline, individual states

You must be a legal resident of the state where you are purchasing the firearm.

Every buyer must complete ATF Form 4473 , also known as the Firearms Transaction Record. This document records your personal information and requires you to answer several questions about your legal eligibility under penalty of perjury.