American adults aged 18, 19 and 20 are the most discriminated against group in the nation as far as the Second Amendment is concerned, with many states and even the federal government limiting their right to keep and bear arms.
Now, pro-gun lawmakers in Ohio are pushing forward with a plan to recognize the right to keep and bear arms for adults under 21 years of age. The proposal aims to lower the age requirement for purchasing a handgun from 21 to 18.
According to a report at local12.com, Republican senators are advocating for the bill, which would allow individuals aged 18 to 21 to purchase handguns from federally licensed dealers, provided they pass a background check.
Senate Bill 303, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Terry Johnson and backed by Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA), was introduced Oct. 21. In a new item published on its website, BFA explained that the measure is a preemptive move that would allow adults ages 18 to 20 to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed retailer, aligning state law with a possible favorable Supreme Court ruling striking down restrictions.
As Dean Reick, BFA executive director, explained, passage of the law would not mean that it would trump existing federal law.
“While Sen. Jonson’s bill will not change federal law, it will prepare Ohio for the coming Supreme Court challenge to change the law regarding handgun purchases for those 18 to 20 years old,” Reick said.
While it is illegal at the federal level and state level for a licensed dealer to sell a handgun to a young adult, an unlicensed person is not prohibited from selling one to an 18-, 19- or 20-year-old. Additionally, the 26th Amendment gives 18-year-olds the right to vote, and every branch of the U.S. military permits 17-year-olds to enlist, according to a federal government fact sheet.
“Eighteen-year-olds can vote, drive, carry weapons in war, get married, raise children, enter into contracts, open bank accounts, serve on juries, make personal medical decisions, play the lottery, buy cigarettes and participate in most other adult activities,’ Reick said. “It makes no sense that they are deprived of gun rights.”
Of course, anti-gun lawmakers are firmly against the proposal, calling it dangerous.
“I would hope that there will be a significant amount of backlash from the public against this type of legislation to give more credence to the federal government to say absolutely not,” said Democrat state Rep. Cecil Thomas.
At this time, it’s up to the U.S. Supreme Court to determine once and for all whether adults under age 21 have the same Second Amendment rights as a 21-year-old. The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has petitioned the Supreme Court to hear the case Brown v. ATF, which challenges the federal ban on young adults purchasing handguns from licensed dealers.
“The issue of 18-20-year-olds purchasing handguns is split between two circuit courts across the nation,” said SAF Executive Director and attorney of record in the case Adam Kraut. “Additionally, the circuit courts are split as to the ability of this age group being able to acquire and carry firearms more broadly. There is no doubt that adults under 21 are part of “the People” and therefore should be afforded the same rights as other adults, and in particular, be able to fully exercise their Second Amendment rights by purchasing a handgun—the ‘quintessential self-defense weapon.’ We are optimistic the High Court will agree to hear the case and end the confusion that permeates the rights of this group of adults once and for all.”
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