In 1994, Congress enacted a law prohibiting the unsupervised possession of handguns by children under the age of 18. Federal law has long prohibited the sale of a handgun from a licensed gun dealer to anyone under the age of 21. Twenty-seven states allow youths ages 18 to 20 to possess handguns. In his campaign for President, George W. Bush announced his support for raising the age for handgun possession from 18 to 21. Gun Show Background Checks.
Federal law requires a background check for gun sales through licensed gun dealers.
Sales by unlicensed individuals are not covered, and it is common for unlicensed gun collectors to sell at gun shows. Twenty-two states have laws requiring background checks at gun shows 28 do not. In November 2000, voters in Colorado and Oregon overwhelmingly approved ballot measures to require background checks at gun shows. Four states, California, Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia, prohibit the sale of more than one handgun within a 30-day period. This measure deters gun traffickers, who do business by purchasing guns in bulk to resell on the streets in urban centers.