US Court Strikes Down Handgun Purchase Ban for 18-21-Year-Olds

A federal appeals court ruled the law unconstitutional, citing Second Amendment protections, sparking debate over gun access and public safety.

A federal appeals court in New Orleans ruled that a federal law prohibiting handgun purchases by individuals aged 18 to 21 violates the Second Amendment.
The court argued that the Second Amendment does not impose age restrictions, extending its protections to individuals in this age group.
Critics, including gun control advocacy group Everytown Law, called the decision dangerous, highlighting firearms as the leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the US.
The ruling follows a history of contentious decisions from the New Orleans court, including one overturned by the conservative-majority US Supreme Court last year.
With the US having more firearms than residents and a high rate of gun-related deaths, the decision may escalate to the Supreme Court for further review.