Buying a Gun in West Virginia
The age to buy a gun in West Virginia, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short answer: West Virginia has no state law that sets a general minimum age to buy handguns or long guns. A person under 18 who is not married or otherwise emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon (with exceptions for family or permitted property and lawful hunting). W. Va. Code §§ 61-7-8(a), 61-7-10(c), (d); W. Va. Code ch. 61, art. 7 (reviewed)
| Age to buy a gun | West Virginia has no state law that sets a general minimum age to buy handguns or long guns. A person under 18 who is not married or otherwise emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon (with exceptions for family or permitted property and lawful hunting). It is a felony (3 to 10 years, fine up to $100,000) to knowingly sell, rent, give or lend a firearm to a person prohibited by any provision of the article or by 18 U.S.C. § 922. Reviewed W. Va. Code ch. 61, art. 7 (Dangerous Weapons, §§ 61-7-1 to 61-7-17) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
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| Background checks and private sales | West Virginia has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) sales. Any seller, including a private seller, commits a felony by knowingly selling, renting, giving or lending a firearm or ammunition to a person prohibited by state law or 18 U.S.C. § 922, and it is a felony to solicit a dealer or private seller to make an unlawful transfer. Per the Attorney General, a WV CHL issued on or after June 4, 2014 qualifies as an alternative to the federal NICS check at a dealer; provisional licenses do not. Reviewed W. Va. Code ch. 61, art. 7 (Dangerous Weapons, §§ 61-7-1 to 61-7-17) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Reported from the absence of a state requirement; cities may not limit firearm purchase or transfer (W. Va. Code § 8-12-5a(a)). |
| Waiting period | West Virginia has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. Cities may not limit the right to purchase or transfer firearms in a manner inconsistent with state law. Reviewed W. Va. Code ch. 61, art. 7 (Dangerous Weapons, §§ 61-7-1 to 61-7-17) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. |
| Ghost guns and homemade firearms | West Virginia has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, or kits. Cities may not regulate firearms in a manner inconsistent with state law. Reviewed W. Va. Code ch. 61, art. 7 (Dangerous Weapons, §§ 61-7-1 to 61-7-17) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Federal rules are not covered. |
More West Virginia gun laws
- Concealed Carry in West Virginia
- Open Carry in West Virginia
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in West Virginia
- All West Virginia gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no state law that sets a general minimum age to buy handguns or long guns. A person under 18 who is not married or otherwise emancipated may not possess or carry any deadly weapon (with exceptions for family or permitted property and lawful hunting). It is a felony (3 to 10 years, fine up to $100,000) to knowingly sell, rent, give or lend a firearm to a person prohibited by any provision of the article or by 18 U.S.C. § 922.
Do private gun sales need a background check in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no state law that requires a background check, permit-to-purchase or license for private (non-dealer) sales. Any seller, including a private seller, commits a felony by knowingly selling, renting, giving or lending a firearm or ammunition to a person prohibited by state law or 18 U.S.C. § 922, and it is a felony to solicit a dealer or private seller to make an unlawful transfer. Per the Attorney General, a WV CHL issued on or after June 4, 2014 qualifies as an alternative to the federal NICS check at a dealer; provisional licenses do not.
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. Cities may not limit the right to purchase or transfer firearms in a manner inconsistent with state law.
Are ghost guns legal in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no state law that regulates unserialized or homemade firearms, unfinished frames or receivers, or kits. Cities may not regulate firearms in a manner inconsistent with state law.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.