Politics

Fourth Circuit Court rules federal law banning handgun sales to adults under 21 is unconstitutional

A federal court ruled that laws banning handgun sales to adults under the age of 21 is unconstitutional.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the proclamation in a 2-1 decision, thereby saying an 18 year old has the right to keep and bear arms. “Looking through this historical lens to the text and structure of the Constitution reveals that 18- to 20-year-olds have Second Amendment rights. Virtually every other constitutional right applies whatever the age. And the Second Amendment is no different,” wrote the court.

The decision was made in light of a recent lawsuit by two adults under the age of 21, who sued the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Tanner Hirschfeld and Natalia Marshall argued that Second Amendment rights were violated by prohibiting adults from carrying firearms.  

Opponents of the decision, such as Eric Tirschwell, who works for Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, said “Not only has this same law previously been upheld, other courts have upheld stronger minimum age laws. It’s truly troubling that the court’s majority departed from this clear consensus, particularly given the strong historical support for minimum-age restrictions and social science research showing that a disproportionate share of gun violence is carried out by young people.”

ARTICLE: ANTOINETTE AHO

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: KTSA

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Antoinette is a community college student in Sacramento, California. She is a Politics Editor at Fact Based America, a correspondent for Campus Reform, and a student journalist. She previously worked for Turning Point USA as a High School Coordinator.

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