COURT RULES U.S. BAN ON GUN SALES TO ADULTS UNDER 21 IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A U.S. appeals court ruled that a long-standing federal ban preventing licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the decision on Thursday, citing recent Supreme Court rulings that expanded gun rights.

This is the first time a federal appeals court has declared the ban a violation of the Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. The same court had previously upheld the ban in 2012, but its stance changed after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. That ruling set a new standard, requiring modern gun laws to align with historical firearm regulations.

The restriction on handgun sales to those under 21 was originally passed by Congress in 1968 as part of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. In 2020, a group of young adults aged 18 to 20, along with gun rights organizations like the Firearms Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation, challenged the law after a lower court upheld it.

U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones, writing for the three-judge panel, ruled that the lower court’s decision was incorrect. She stated that the ban did not align with the historical tradition of firearm regulation in the U.S. and that the government provided little evidence to show that similar restrictions existed in the 18th century. Jones emphasized that the Second Amendment protects the rights of all adult citizens, including those aged 18 to 20.

The Biden administration’s Department of Justice had defended the ban, but the court found its arguments unconvincing. Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition, hailed the ruling as a victory against what he called an unconstitutional age-based restriction on gun ownership.

COMMENTARY:

The recent ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declaring the federal ban on handgun sales to adults under 21 unconstitutional is a significant victory for the Second Amendment and a testament to the growing rejection of unconstitutional laws. This decision follows the precedent set by the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling, which reaffirmed that modern gun laws must be consistent with America’s historical traditions. It is a step in the right direction—ensuring that the government cannot arbitrarily strip law-abiding citizens of their rights.

For decades, the federal government has passed laws that infringe on constitutional freedoms, particularly gun rights, under the guise of “public safety.” The 1968 Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, which imposed this age-based gun ban, is just one example of how the government overstepped its bounds. However, thanks to constitutionalists who continue to challenge these unjust laws, we are seeing them dismantled piece by piece.

The Bruen ruling set an important standard for evaluating firearm regulations, making it clear that any modern restrictions must align with historical practices. This precedent is crucial because it prevents lawmakers from arbitrarily restricting gun rights based on contemporary political trends rather than constitutional principles. The court’s decision in this case shows that when judges follow the Constitution rather than political pressure, freedom prevails.

We must continue to fight back against unconstitutional laws that seek to erode our rights. Every infringement on the Second Amendment opens the door for further government overreach. If we allow restrictions like this one to stand, it sets a dangerous precedent for the government to impose even more limitations on who can own firearms and under what conditions.

This victory is a reminder that politicians cannot simply dictate laws that violate fundamental rights without facing legal challenges. The American people must remain vigilant, challenging every unjust law in court and electing leaders who respect the Constitution. If we let our guard down, those in power will continue to push unconstitutional restrictions until our rights are nothing but words on paper.

We have seen firsthand how corrupt and power-hungry politicians operate when given free rein. They pass laws that restrict freedoms while exempting themselves from accountability. The attacks on President Donald Trump are a perfect example of this—when political elites fear someone challenging their power, they will do everything in their capacity to take them down.

Government corruption thrives when politicians can impose unconstitutional laws without pushback. That is why rulings like this one are so important. They send a clear message that the courts will not rubber-stamp unconstitutional gun control measures simply because a certain administration supports them. Instead, these laws will be judged based on the Constitution, not political preferences.

The Department of Justice, under the Biden administration, fought to uphold this unconstitutional ban, showing once again how out of touch the current leadership is with the Constitution. Their “scant” evidence to justify the law reveals that they are more interested in controlling law-abiding citizens than in preserving fundamental rights. The fact that a court had to step in and overturn their defense of an unconstitutional law speaks volumes about their disregard for the Second Amendment.

Gun control advocates often argue that such restrictions are necessary for public safety, but history has shown time and again that disarming law-abiding citizens only emboldens criminals. The right to bear arms is not a privilege handed down by the government—it is a fundamental right that ensures Americans can defend themselves against threats, including tyrannical government overreach.

Age-based gun bans are just one of many unconstitutional restrictions that need to be eliminated. If 18-year-olds can vote, serve in the military, and pay taxes, they should have the right to own and purchase firearms. Anything less is blatant hypocrisy. The government cannot selectively decide when someone is an “adult” based on what suits its agenda.

This ruling proves that the judicial system can still be a tool for restoring constitutional rights when used correctly. However, it also highlights the importance of appointing judges who respect the Constitution rather than interpret it through a political lens. If the courts were stacked with activist judges, we would likely see a very different outcome.

The victory in this case should encourage more challenges to unconstitutional gun laws across the country. Many states still impose restrictions that blatantly violate the Second Amendment. Every single one of these laws needs to be challenged and overturned to restore the full rights of American citizens.

The battle for constitutional rights is far from over. As long as there are politicians in office who seek to expand government power at the expense of individual freedoms, we must remain vigilant. Victories like this one prove that fighting back works, but it requires continued effort, lawsuits, and the willingness to stand up for what is right.

Now is not the time to be complacent. We must use this momentum to push back against every unconstitutional restriction on the Second Amendment. We need leaders who will defend our rights, not seek to erode them. If we continue to fight and refuse to accept unconstitutional laws, we can restore the freedoms that have been under attack for far too long.

ARTICLE:

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