The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms. This right has been a legal right for all Americans since 1787. The right to buy and carry a gun is generally split into two categories: federal law and state law.
Federal law
Under federal law, which applies to all American states, a handgun or handgun ammunition cannot be sold to or in the possession of anyone younger than 18. However, there is no minimum age for possession of long guns or long gun ammunition. Furthermore, licensed gun dealers can only sell handguns to people older than 21, while rifles and shotguns can legally be purchased when you are 18 years old.
State law
State law can sometimes overrule federal law. For instance, in Maine, Alaska, Minnesota, and New York, a 16-year-old can purchase a rifle, while in Vermont someone of the same age can also buy a handgun. In Minnesota, further exceptions are offered where a 14-year-old is allowed to purchase a rifle if they have parental consent.
Why do Americans need guns?
Guns are deeply ingrained in American society and the nation’s political debates. Personal protection tops the list of reasons gun owners give for owning a firearm. About three-quarters (72%) of gun owners say that protection is a major reason they own a gun. Considerably smaller shares say that a major reason they own a gun is for hunting (32%), for sport shooting (30%), as part of a gun collection (15%), or for their job (7%).