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View Full Version : SCOTUS Passes On Challenges Restricting Handguns to Young Adults



Gman
02-24-2014, 12:44
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/court-passes-challenges-restricting-handguns-young-adults-n37196

The cases the court acted on Monday involved challenges brought by the National Rifle Association and a group of Texas residents under 21. The federal statute allows the sale of rifles and shotguns to anyone aged 18 or older but sets the minimum age for buying a handgun at 21. The Texas provision excludes anyone aged 18, 19, or 20 from a state law allowing adults to carry a handgun in public for self-defense.

The state of Texas, arguing against the challenge, noted that three-quarters of the states have laws requiring a person to be at least 21 to get a license to carry a gun. The state's attorney general, Greg Abbott, was in the uncomfortable position of defending the law, putting him on the opposite side of the National Rifle Association in the case at a time when he is running for governor.

The Obama administration defended the federal law restricting handgun sales to minors. Congress acted after finding that young offenders were especially prone to misusing firearms, the government says. The federal law was meant to prevent minors from crossing state lines to buy guns that they could not get legally in the own states, it says.
Hey, 18-20 is a "minor"? Why not change the age of majority in this country to 21? Shoot, why stop there?

TFOGGER
02-24-2014, 12:56
I wonder if the POS...er POTUS would support raising the minimum voting age and the minimum enlistment age to 21 as well? I'm guessing he lost the last election if you take the 18-20 votes out of the mix(but I'm too lazy to actually research it)...

Circuits
02-24-2014, 14:35
As usual, they quote the law incorrectly. Federal law does not require a person to be 21 to purchase a handgun. It requires the transferee to be 21 if purchasing anything EXCEPT a complete rifle or shotgun FROM AN FFL.

It is not a general prohibition on purchase or ownership at ages 18-20, it is a regulatory restriction which has force only on federal firearms licensees.

TFOGGER
02-24-2014, 14:47
As usual, they quote the law incorrectly. Federal law does not require a person to be 21 to purchase a handgun. It requires the transferee to be 21 if purchasing anything EXCEPT a complete rifle or shotgun FROM AN FFL.

It is not a general prohibition on purchase or ownership at ages 18-20, it is a regulatory restriction which has force only on federal firearms licensees.

Odd question: Under federal and Colorado law, a person aged 18-20 can legally purchase a handgun from a private party, but will a person aged 18-20 pass a (required) CBI background check for a handgun that is submitted by an FFL (since that person cannot legally purchase that handgun directly from the FFL?

Robb
02-24-2014, 14:58
nevermind...

Circuits
02-24-2014, 16:07
Odd question: Under federal and Colorado law, a person aged 18-20 can legally purchase a handgun from a private party, but will a person aged 18-20 pass a (required) CBI background check for a handgun that is submitted by an FFL (since that person cannot legally purchase that handgun directly from the FFL?
No - the new law cut off private non-rifle/shotgun sales, except antiques, C&R, and among immediate family members.

TFOGGER
02-24-2014, 16:11
No - the new law cut off private non-rifle/shotgun sales, except antiques, C&R, and among immediate family members.

Another back door ban...devious bastards...

I wonder how many of those 18-20 year olds even know they lost that right?

WETWRKS
02-24-2014, 16:21
Another back door ban...devious bastards...

I wonder how many of those 18-20 year olds even know they lost that right?

Makes it difficult for kids to become officers right out of high school

Robb
02-24-2014, 17:02
so, is it still legal for an 18+ year old to open carry where it's legal or has that changed too?

merl
02-24-2014, 17:07
so, is it still legal for an 18+ year old to open carry where it's legal or has that changed too?
Assuming they got it in some legal manner why wouldn't it be legal? The law change was in how they'd get it.

Back to the USSC, there is the straw purchase case we're waiting on.

OneGuy67
02-24-2014, 17:11
In Colorado, you need to be 21+ to be hired as a LEO. You can go to the academy at 20 and some months, but must be at least 21 to be hired.

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