Federal law sets the baseline for firearm purchases across all 50 states.
: 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 what is required to buy a gun
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. Federal law sets the baseline for firearm purchases
: You must provide a valid government-issued photo ID that includes your current address, such as a driver's license. mental health adjudications