A federal judge in Virginia has ruled that a law banning licensed federal firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under 21 violates the Second Amendment and is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Robert Payne argued that many of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship are granted at the age of 18, including the right to vote, enlist in the military and serve on a federal jury, and that excluding 18-to-20-year-olds from the Second Amendment’s protection would impose limitations on the Second Amendment that do not exist with other constitutional guarantees. The ruling is being seen as a major victory for gun rights advocates, but is likely to be challenged by gun control advocates, and the debate over gun rights is far from over.
Posts tagged as “the Second Amendment”
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a federal law prohibiting people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms is unconstitutional, in line with the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. This ruling is a major victory for gun rights advocates, and could be appealed to the Supreme Court to decide the fate of the law.
Following a mass shooting in Monterey Park, California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for stricter gun control measures and blasted the Second Amendment as a "suicide pact". He clarified that he has no opposition to people who responsibly own guns and get background checks and training. Newsom said California will continue implementing gun control measures and urged Congress to pass meaningful gun control legislation.