How To Buy A Gun In Va Official

To buy a gun from a licensed dealer in Virginia, you must meet the following basic criteria:

: You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun. For long guns (rifles and shotguns), the minimum age is 18 . how to buy a gun in va

Buying a firearm in Virginia in 2026 involves navigating a highly active legislative landscape. Currently, the process remains centered on visiting a licensed dealer and passing a state-run background check, though new requirements—including a potential "permit to purchase" and expanded age restrictions—are currently under consideration or moving toward implementation. To buy a gun from a licensed dealer

: If your ID was recently issued or is a duplicate, it must be at least 30 days old unless you can provide a DMV record showing your original issue date was more than 30 days ago. Currently, the process remains centered on visiting a

: Residents must provide a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a Virginia DMV driver's license or ID card).