The National Rifle Association (NRA) has filed a petition to the US Supreme Court, asking it to allow licensed gun dealers to sell handguns to youths between the ages of 18 and 21.
The appeal filed by the NRA and two 19-year olds is a fresh attempt to overturn a 1968 law which bars federally licensed dealers from selling handguns and handgun ammunition to people between ages 18 and 21.
The law was challenged in court last year, where it was unanimously upheld by a three-judge panel for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“This categorical burden on the fundamental right to keep and bear arms passes constitutional muster because law-abiding young adults likely do not possess Second Amendment rights at all,” the petition reads.
The current legislation does, however, leave quite a number of options for people older than 18 and younger than 21 to obtain weapons, as they are still allowed to purchase shotguns and rifles from licensed dealers. As for handguns, they can get a hold of them as well, provided they receive them as gifts or purchase them from private owners.
The law was challenged in court last year, where it was unanimously upheld by a three-judge panel for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“This categorical burden on the fundamental right to keep and bear arms passes constitutional muster because law-abiding young adults likely do not possess Second Amendment rights at all,” the petition reads.
The current legislation does, however, leave quite a number of options for people older than 18 and younger than 21 to obtain weapons, as they are still allowed to purchase shotguns and rifles from licensed dealers. As for handguns, they can get a hold of them as well, provided they receive them as gifts or purchase them from private owners.
Good for the NRA.
ReplyDeleteMike,
ReplyDeleteThey made the age of majority 18 when it was argued quite validly that if a man can be drafted to fight in a war at 18, why cant he vote and be a full up adult.
I personally have a hard time with it because it seems to be quite ok for my soldiers to drive armored vehicles, and be trusted with automatic weapons and explosives. Yet I'm expected to not allow them to have a beer after training.
I also believe that if you don't treat adults like adults, what is the motivation to act like an adult.
18 is too young for any of that. The reason they take 18 and even 17-year-olds in the service is, who else is young enough and impressionable enough to do that unbelievable stuff they ask of them? Late teens is the perfect age to dupe people into believing all that rah-rah patriotic bullshit required to voluntarily make yourself cannon fodder.
DeleteWhen MikeB is king, the age of majority will be 21 or 25. Until then, no beer, no touching guns, no joining the military, no sex, no marriage, no ability to contract or hold a job. Just schooling and obeying the dictates of Mike.
DeleteMikeb despises the rule of law. It gets in the way of arbitrary power.
Delete