
A federal appeals court has struck down a law banning handgun sales to young adults, sparking criticism from gun control advocates and praise from Second Amendment supporters.
At a Glance
- The 5th Circuit Court ruled that banning handgun sales to 18-20 year-olds is unconstitutional
- The decision aligns with a 2022 Supreme Court ruling expanding gun rights
- Everytown for Gun Safety criticized the ruling as “reckless”
- The case has been sent back to a lower court for further proceedings
- The ruling challenges a provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968
Court Rules in Favor of Young Adult Gun Rights
In a significant victory for Second Amendment advocates, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans has ruled that the federal ban on handgun sales to individuals aged 18-20 is unconstitutional. The unanimous decision in the case of Reese v. ATF was made by a panel of three judges, all appointed by Republican presidents.
“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,” Judge Edith Jones wrote.
This is huge!
The decision aligns with a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expanded gun rights and set new standards for evaluating firearms laws. The 5th Circuit found no historical evidence to support age restrictions on gun ownership, citing the 1792 Militia Act as proof that 18-to-20-year-olds were considered part of “the people” for Second Amendment purposes.
“If we can trust young adults to defend our country, we can certainly trust them to own any and all legal firearms,” Alan Gottlieb, the Founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, said.
The ruling challenges a key provision of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which prohibits federally licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns to individuals under 21. This decision could have far-reaching implications for gun laws across the country.
While Second Amendment supporters celebrated the ruling, gun control advocates expressed serious concerns. Everytown for Gun Safety, a prominent gun control organization, criticized the decision as “reckless” and urged federal authorities to challenge it.
Is America finally, collectively coming to its senses?