Age & Eligibility Requirements
Federal law sets 18 for rifle and shotgun ammunition and 21 for handgun ammunition, and bars several categories of person entirely. We apply those rules before an order ships.
Short answer Federal law sets a minimum of 18 for rifle and shotgun ammunition and 21 for handgun ammunition. Where a state sets a higher age, the higher age applies. Several categories of person may not possess ammunition at all.
Minimum age
Under the Gun Control Act a licensed dealer may not sell or deliver rifle or shotgun ammunition to anyone under 18, and may not sell or deliver handgun ammunition — or any firearm other than a rifle or shotgun — to anyone under 21. Those are federal floors.
| What you are buying | Federal minimum age |
|---|---|
| Rifle and shotgun ammunition | 18 |
| Handgun ammunition | 21 |
| Rifles and shotguns | 18 |
| Handguns | 21 |
A cartridge can be both. Calibres such as .22 LR, 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP and 10mm are chambered in both handguns and long guns. Where a cartridge is in common handgun use we treat it as handgun ammunition and apply the 21 threshold. That is the conservative reading and the one that keeps both of us on the right side of the statute.
Who may not buy or possess ammunition
Federal law makes it unlawful for certain people to ship, transport, receive or possess firearms or ammunition. Broadly, anyone who:
- has been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison, or a state misdemeanour punishable by more than two years;
- is a fugitive from justice;
- is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, a controlled substance;
- has been adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution;
- is unlawfully in the United States, or holds a non-immigrant visa without a qualifying exception;
- has been dishonourably discharged from the armed forces;
- has renounced United States citizenship;
- is subject to a qualifying domestic violence restraining order; or
- has been convicted of a misdemeanour crime of domestic violence.
That is a plain-language summary of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), not the statute. If you are unsure whether a past conviction affects you, speak to a lawyer before ordering. We cannot give you a legal opinion on your own eligibility.
What we require from you
By placing an order you certify that:
- you meet the federal minimum age for what you are buying, and any higher age your state sets;
- you are not prohibited from receiving or possessing ammunition;
- the goods are for your own lawful use and not for anyone else;
- delivery to your address breaks no law where you live; and
- the billing and delivery details you gave us are true.
Ammunition deliveries require an adult signature. The carrier checks identification and will not leave the package unattended.
Buying for someone who cannot lawfully buy for themselves is a federal felony. A straw purchase exposes you to prosecution. We will cancel and refund any order we believe is being placed for someone else.
How old do you have to be to buy ammunition?
18 for rifle and shotgun ammunition and 21 for handgun ammunition under federal law. Some states set a higher minimum, and where they do the higher age governs. Because many calibres are chambered in both handguns and long guns, we apply the 21 threshold to any cartridge in common handgun use.
What ammunition can an 18-year-old buy?
Ammunition intended for rifles and shotguns — .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotshells, for example. Cartridges in common handgun use, including 9mm, .45 ACP, .380 ACP, .38 Special and .22 LR, require 21.
Do you need a licence to buy ammunition?
Not under federal law. Several states impose their own requirement — an FOID card in Illinois, an FID or licence to carry in Massachusetts, an eligibility certificate in Connecticut, and vendor-based checks in California and New York.
Can felons buy ammunition?
No. Federal law bars anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison from receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition, and that covers ammunition on its own. Rights restoration varies by state; take legal advice rather than relying on a retailer’s view.
Will someone need to sign for my delivery?
Yes. Ammunition requires an adult signature. The carrier asks for identification and will not leave the parcel on a doorstep or with a neighbour.
About this page
Ages are those set by 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1); the prohibited-person categories summarise 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). Both are public law and can be read in full independently.
This is not legal advice. Firearms and ammunition law changes often, differs by state, county and city, and parts of it are the subject of active litigation. What follows explains how we operate. It is not a substitute for the law that applies where you live, and you are responsible for knowing that law before you order.