Federal court rules ATF age limits on handgun sales violate Second Amendment

In a groundbreaking decision, a federal appeals court has ruled that a nationwide ban on handgun sales to young adults is unconstitutional. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued the ruling, stating that a federal law prohibiting adults aged 18-20 from purchasing handguns violates the Second Amendment. This decision comes in the wake of a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that expanded gun rights.
The court’s opinion emphasized that individuals aged 18-20 are included in the category of “the people” whose right to keep and bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment. As a result, the case has been referred back to a lower court judge for further review.
Previously, the appeals court had upheld the requirement that individuals must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun. However, following the Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, judges are now tasked with determining whether a challenged firearm restriction is firmly rooted in the nation’s historical traditions. Several state courts have already found that laws restricting handgun sales to young adults do not meet this criteria.
The Biden administration has opposed these rulings, but the Trump administration is expected to be more supportive of gun rights. President Trump has previously vowed to protect Americans’ gun rights, promising that “no one will lay a finger on your firearms.” Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley noted that the Trump administration may not appeal the fifth circuit’s decision, potentially preventing the Supreme Court from reviewing it.
Gun rights advocates have hailed the appeals court’s decision as a significant victory against an “immoral and unconstitutional” age-based gun ban. The lawsuit challenging the law was brought by members of the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Second Amendment Foundation, and the Louisiana Shooting Association.
Federal law currently prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing handguns from licensed firearm dealers. Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group, has argued that this law is crucial for public safety, citing statistics that show individuals aged 18-20 commit gun homicides at a higher rate than adults over 21.
Despite the appeals court’s ruling, Everytown for Gun Safety has expressed hope that the federal government will challenge the decision and seek a rehearing or appeal to the Supreme Court. They believe that the law restricting handgun sales to young adults is a common-sense measure that helps prevent gun violence.
In conclusion, the federal appeals court’s decision to strike down the nationwide ban on handgun sales to young adults marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over gun rights and regulations. The case is likely to have far-reaching implications for gun laws and Second Amendment protections in the United States.