What Is Required To Buy A Gun Apr 2026
: Dealers must run your information through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) . This check searches criminal records, mental health adjudications, and immigration status. How a Federal Gun Background Check Works - The Trace
To buy a gun in the United States, you must generally be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, meet specific age requirements (typically 18 for long guns and 21 for handguns), pass a federal background check, and not fall into any "prohibited person" categories, such as having a felony conviction. what is required to buy a gun
: Every retail purchase requires completing ATF Form 4473 , a firearms transaction record where you attest to your eligibility. : Dealers must run your information through the
Federal law sets the baseline for firearm purchases across all 50 states. mental health adjudications