
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against the federal ban on handgun sales to adults under 21, citing Second Amendment protections.
Key Insights
- The court ruled that 18-20-year-olds have the same firearm ownership rights as older adults.
- This decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling expanding gun rights.
- The ruling challenges the 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.
- Similar age restriction laws have been overturned in Minnesota, Virginia, and Texas.
- The case will return to a lower court.
Court Rules Against Longstanding Federal Ban
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the federal law preventing those under 21 from buying handguns is unconstitutional. This ruling directly challenges a regulation that has been in place since 1968, marking a significant victory for gun rights advocates and a setback for the Biden administration’s stance on firearm regulations.
The three-judge panel in New Orleans determined that 18-to-20-year-olds possess the same Second Amendment rights as older adults. This decision aligns with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling that expanded gun rights and required firearm laws to be consistent with historical traditions of gun regulation.
Constitutional Interpretation and Historical Context
Judge Edith Jones, who authored the opinion, emphasized the constitutional basis for the ruling. The court found that the federal government failed to provide sufficient historical evidence to justify the contemporary handgun purchase ban for this age group.
The court’s decision reflects a growing trend in re-evaluating age-based restrictions on firearm ownership. Similar laws have been struck down in Minnesota, Virginia, and Texas, indicating a shift in judicial interpretation of Second Amendment rights for young adults.
Federal court rules ban on handgun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional https://t.co/3ACWvQxHBU pic.twitter.com/lm5dQYzQlQ
— New York Post (@nypost) January 30, 2025
Reactions and Implications
The ruling has elicited strong reactions from both sides of the gun rights debate. Supporters of the decision, including the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation, hailed it as a victory for constitutional rights.
“Today’s ruling is yet another critical FPC win against an immoral and unconstitutional age-based gun ban. We look forward to restoring the Second Amendment rights of all peaceable adults throughout the United States,” Firearms Policy Coalition President Brandon Combs said.
Conversely, gun control advocates, including the Giffords Law Center and Brady: United Against Gun Violence, expressed concerns about the potential increase in firearm access for teenagers and the possible impact on public safety.
Looking Ahead
The case has been sent back to a lower court for further action, leaving room for additional legal proceedings.
This ruling represents a significant shift in the interpretation of Second Amendment rights for young adults and may have far-reaching implications for gun laws across the country. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the debate over balancing gun rights with public safety concerns remains at the forefront of national discourse.
Sources
- Federal court rules ban on handgun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional
- US ban on gun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional, court rules
- US ban on gun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional, court rules
- US court rules banning gun sales to young adults under 21 unconstitutional