In a groundbreaking decision, the 5th Circuit Court has ruled that the federal ban on handgun sales to individuals under 21 violates Second Amendment rights, challenging long-held age restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- The 5th Circuit Court ruled the federal handgun sale ban for 18-20-year-olds unconstitutional.
- The ruling was based on the case of Reese v. ATF, highlighting inadequate historic justification for age restrictions.
- Judge Edith Jones emphasized the Second Amendment’s protection for young adults.
- Similar cases are under review in the 4th and 9th Circuits, affecting future gun control legislation.
- The ruling contests the traditional understanding of legal adulthood and carries significant implications for gun rights advocates.
Court Decision Details
A federal appeals court decision has declared the ban on federally licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to 18-20-year-olds unconstitutional. The unanimous ruling emerged from a three-judge panel at the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, challenging the traditional firearm age limitations.
The case of Reese v. ATF, led by the Firearms Policy Coalition, questioned the legality of age-based restrictions under the Second Amendment. Judge Edith Jones authored the opinion, stating that the amendment unequivocally includes 18-20-year-olds as part of ‘the people’ protected by its provisions, reversing a district court ruling, and remanded the case for further examination.
The 5th Circuit says the federal ban on handgun sales to adults younger than 21 is inconsistent with the Second Amendment. https://t.co/yxGeg9Py5a
— reason (@reason) January 30, 2025
Legal Foundations and Historical Context
The decision builds on the Supreme Court’s New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which clarified the necessity for gun control laws to align with historical traditions. Judge Jones criticized the Biden administration’s defense, which failed to provide historic evidence supporting age-based restrictions. Instead, the ruling highlighted that young adults were historically considered part of the armed populace under laws like the 1792 Militia Act.
“There are no age or maturity restrictions in the plain text of the Amendment, as there are in other constitutional provisions” – Judge Edith Jones
Evolving legal battles mirror this landmark ruling in other circuits, where similar cases are under scrutiny. The 4th Circuit saw a comparable ruling in 2021 but vacated it due to a plaintiff reaching age 21, while the 9th Circuit’s earlier siding with young adults in Jones v. Bonta awaits further review.
Implications for Future Gun Legislation
While the ruling is seen as a victory by groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition, other parties, such as “Brady: United Against Gun Violence,” argue it poses a threat by expanding firearm access to young adults. This judgment has intensified ongoing debates over Second Amendment rights and gun control, particularly as it challenges traditional interpretations of legal adulthood and protected constitutional freedoms.
“Today’s ruling is yet another critical FPC win against an immoral and unconstitutional age-based gun ban” – Brandon Combs
The ruling may influence future legislation and set a precedent in similar cases across the United States. As legal interpretations of the Second Amendment evolve, the balance between ensuring public safety and protecting constitutional rights for all adults remains a contentious issue that courts will continue to address.
Sources
1. Federal court rules ban on handgun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional
2. The 5th Circuit Says the Federal Ban on Handgun Sales to Young Adults Is Unconstitutional
