Washington: A US appeals court has ruled that a federal law prohibiting the sale of handguns to adults aged 18 to 21 by licensed firearms dealers is unconstitutional. The decision, made by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, has sparked significant debate about gun rights in the United States.
Under current federal law, adults aged 18 to 21 cannot purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer, although they are permitted to buy rifles and shotguns. While parents are allowed to purchase handguns for their children, private sales or gun shows also offer ways around this restriction.
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The 1968 law banning handgun sales to those under 21 was challenged by several gun rights groups, including the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Louisiana Shooting Club, as well as individuals within the affected age group.
The court's ruling was based on its interpretation of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to "keep and bear Arms." The three-judge panel noted that there were no specific age restrictions mentioned in the text of the amendment, unlike other constitutional provisions which set age limits, such as the requirement for US House members to be at least 25 years old.
"This suggests that the Second Amendment lacks a minimum age requirement," the judges explained. "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."
Opposition to ruling
Gun violence prevention advocates strongly criticised the decision. Janet Carter, Senior Director of Issues and Appeals at Everytown Law, called the ruling "reckless and unfounded," arguing that the law banning handgun sales to young adults is both constitutional and vital for public safety.
"Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens, and 18-to-20-year-olds commit gun homicides at triple the rate of adults 21 and over, according to FBI statistics," Carter said. She expressed hope that the federal government would challenge the ruling.
Previous legal precedents
This ruling comes shortly after the US Supreme Court upheld a federal law that prevents domestic abusers from possessing firearms, despite a previous ruling by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals declaring the restriction unconstitutional.
The latest decision is expected to have significant implications for future debates on gun control in the US, especially concerning the rights of young adults to purchase firearms.
Agency
Published: 31 Jan 2025, 06:46 am IST
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