Court Strikes Down Federal Age Limit on Handgun Purchases for Young Adults
A federal appeals court has ruled that a law requiring individuals to be at least 21 years old to purchase handguns is unconstitutional, marking another significant legal shift in the ongoing debate over firearm regulations.
In a decision issued Thursday, a three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans found that prohibiting 18-to-20-year-olds from buying handguns violates the Second Amendment. The ruling follows a series of legal challenges stemming from the 2022 Supreme Court decision that expanded gun rights by emphasizing that firearm restrictions must be historically rooted in the nation's traditions.
Young Adults and the Right to Bear Arms
The court’s decision reaffirmed that individuals between 18 and 20 years old are included among “the people” protected by the Second Amendment.
“Ultimately, the text of the Second Amendment includes eighteen-to-twenty-year-old individuals among ‘the people’ whose right to keep and bear arms is protected,” the court stated in its ruling.
The case now returns to a lower court for further proceedings.
A Shift in Legal Precedent
Previously, courts had upheld federal age restrictions on handgun purchases, but recent rulings in Minnesota, Virginia, and Texas have challenged similar laws. These decisions reflect the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling, which requires firearm regulations to be based on historical precedents.
The Biden administration has opposed these rulings, arguing that age-based restrictions help reduce gun violence. While the Trump administration’s approach remains uncertain, the former president reassured gun rights supporters during a 2023 NRA speech, stating, “No one will lay a finger on your firearms.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court has shown mixed responses to firearm laws. Last year, the Court overturned a different ruling from the 5th Circuit, upholding a federal law aimed at protecting domestic violence victims by restricting gun ownership for abusers.
Gun Rights Groups Celebrate, Advocates Express Concern
The ruling was backed by multiple gun rights organizations, including the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Louisiana Shooting Association.
“If we can trust young adults to defend our country, we can certainly trust them to own any and all legal firearms,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation.
However, gun control advocates condemned the ruling, warning that age restrictions help prevent gun-related violence.
The Giffords Law Center called the decision “reckless”, emphasizing that age-based restrictions are crucial for public safety.
“We hope the current law will ultimately be upheld,” said David Pucino, the center’s legal director.
Current Federal Gun Laws and What May Change
Under existing federal law, individuals must be:
21 or older to purchase a handgun from a licensed firearm dealer
18 or older to purchase a long gun (such as a rifle or shotgun) from a licensed dealer
18 to buy a handgun from unlicensed sellers
No minimum age for purchasing a long gun from unlicensed sellers
The ruling could lead to major changes in federal firearm laws, potentially lowering the legal age for handgun purchases from licensed dealers nationwide. However, further legal challenges and appeals are expected before any changes are fully implemented.
As debates over gun rights and public safety continue, this ruling adds another layer to the ongoing national conversation on firearm regulations.
