A U.S. appeals court has ruled that the decades-old federal ban on licensed dealers selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals cited the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen decision, which requires modern gun laws to align with historical firearm regulations.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA (2-minute read) — In a landmark decision, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal government’s ban on licensed firearm dealers selling handguns to adults under the age of 21 is unconstitutional. The ruling follows recent Supreme Court decisions that reinforce Second Amendment protections.

The federal ban, originally enacted in 1968 as part of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, has long prevented individuals aged 18 to 20 from purchasing handguns from licensed dealers. While the same court upheld the law in 2012, its stance shifted following the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That case established that modern gun restrictions must align with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The lawsuit challenging the ban was brought by young adults and gun rights organizations, including the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation. In its decision, the appeals court determined that there was insufficient historical precedent to justify restricting the Second Amendment rights of 18-to-20-year-olds.

Writing for the three-judge panel, U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones stated that the Second Amendment applies to all adults, including those under 21. She noted that the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Biden administration, failed to provide sufficient historical evidence that such restrictions existed during the founding era.

This decision could have far-reaching implications for firearm laws nationwide, particularly as courts continue to interpret the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling in ongoing legal battles over gun restrictions.

Safety Tip: If you are a new firearm owner, take the time to understand both state and federal firearm laws. Safe storage, proper training, and situational awareness are critical components of responsible gun ownership.