How old do you have to be to buy a gun or ammunition in California?

Quick facts

Handguns: 21 (Penal Code 27510, Penal Code 27505).
Semiautomatic centerfire rifles: 21, with an exception at 18 for certain active law enforcement officers and active military members (Penal Code 27510(b)(3)).
Other rifles and shotguns: 21, or 18 with a valid California hunting license or another listed exception (Penal Code 27510(b)).
Rifle and shotgun ammunition: 18 (Penal Code 30300(a)(1)).
Handgun ammunition: 21 (Penal Code 30300(a)(2)).
Federal floor for licensed sellers: 18 for rifles and shotguns, 21 for other firearms (18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1)).

What does Penal Code 27510 say?

The general rule is one sentence long. A licensed dealer "shall not sell, supply, deliver, or give possession or control of a firearm to any person who is under 21 years of age" (Penal Code 27510(a)).

Because California routes private sales through licensed dealers (Penal Code 27545), the dealer rule reaches private party transfers too. The dealer is the one who delivers the firearm.

What are the exceptions for 18 to 20 year olds?

All of the exceptions in Penal Code 27510(b) apply only to people 18 or older, and none of them cover handguns.

Who	What a dealer may deliver at 18
Person with a valid, unexpired hunting license issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife	A firearm that is not a handgun, semiautomatic centerfire rifle, completed frame or receiver, or firearm precursor part
Honorably discharged member of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, Air National Guard, or active reserves, with proper identification	A firearm that is not a handgun or semiautomatic centerfire rifle
Active peace officer, active federal officer or law enforcement agent, or reserve peace officer, each authorized to carry a firearm on the job	A firearm that is not a handgun
Active member of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, Air National Guard, or active reserves, with proper identification	A firearm that is not a handgun

In plain terms: a hunting license opens the door to long guns such as bolt-action rifles and shotguns at 18. It does not open the door to semiautomatic centerfire rifles.

What is the federal baseline?

Federal law sets a floor for licensed sellers. They may not sell any firearm or ammunition to a person under 18, and may not sell a firearm "other than a shotgun or rifle," or ammunition for one, to a person under 21 (18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1)). California's rules sit above that floor. Where the two differ, a California dealer has to satisfy both.

How old do you have to be to buy ammunition?

Penal Code 30300 makes it a crime to sell:

any ammunition or reloaded ammunition to a person under 18, or
ammunition or reloaded ammunition "designed and intended for use in a handgun" to a person under 21.

Some cartridges work in both rifles and handguns. For those, the statute allows a sale to a person who is at least 18 but under 21 if the vendor reasonably believes the ammunition is being acquired for use in a rifle and not a handgun.

Age is only one part of an ammunition sale. Each purchase also goes through the state eligibility check, covered in the CalGunHub ammunition guide.

Is anyone challenging these age limits in court?

Yes. Here is what primary sources show as of 2026-11-10:

Chavez v. Bonta (U.S. District Court, Southern District of California). The California Attorney General announced on March 27, 2025 that the court held California's age-based restrictions on firearm sales and transfers constitutional (press release with a link to the order). Status not confirmed as of November 10, 2026: the docket number and current status of a reported Ninth Circuit appeal in Chavez v. Bonta. Check the Ninth Circuit's docket.
On June 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court denied review in West Virginia Citizens Defense League v. ATF, No. 25-132, a case from the Fourth Circuit, with Justice Thomas noting he would have granted the petition (docket). Status not confirmed as of November 10, 2026: what No. 25-132 challenged. The docket confirms the denial of review; the description of the case as a challenge to the federal 21 and over rule for dealer handgun sales comes from news coverage. Check the petition on the Supreme Court docket.

A denial of review is not a ruling on the merits. Neither item changes what California dealers must do today.

What changed recently

2026-06-30U.S. Supreme Court denied review in No. 25-132 (docket).
2025-03-26District court order in Chavez v. Bonta upholding the California age rules, announced the next day (Attorney General press release).
2022-06-30The current text of Penal Code 27510 took effect, as last amended by AB 1621 (Penal Code 27510).

FAQ

Can an 18 year old buy a handgun in California?

No. A handgun may not be sold to a person under 21 (Penal Code 27505), and none of the dealer exceptions cover handguns (Penal Code 27510). Section 27505 has a narrow exception for antique handguns sold to a person at least 18.

Does a hunting license let an 18 year old buy any rifle?

No. The hunting license exception excludes handguns, semiautomatic centerfire rifles, completed frames or receivers, and firearm precursor parts (Penal Code 27510(b)(1)).

Can a 19 year old buy 9mm ammunition?

Ammunition designed and intended for a handgun may not be sold to a person under 21. Dual-use ammunition may be sold to someone 18 to 20 if the vendor reasonably believes it is for a rifle (Penal Code 30300).

Can a parent buy a firearm for a minor?

Selling, loaning, or transferring a firearm to a minor is barred, with listed exceptions such as a loan from a parent or legal guardian for lawful recreational sport under set conditions (Penal Code 27505).

Can someone under 18 attend a gun show?

Only when accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian (Penal Code 27335).

Sources

Last verified Nov 10, 2026Informational only, not legal advice