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Department of Justice rules federal handgun ban for 18- to 20-year-olds unconstitutional
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel has issued a legal opinion stating that the federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults aged 18 to 20 is unconstitutional. The opinion asserts that these individuals are members of the political community protected by the Second Amendment, noting that they are eligible to vote, serve on juries, and face adult criminal penalties.
As a result of this finding, the DOJ announced it will no longer seek to impose criminal penalties on licensed dealers who sell handguns to law-abiding adults within this age group. While the underlying federal statutes remain on the books, the administration has indicated it will not defend or prosecute cases under these specific provisions.
The decision has drawn criticism from gun control organizations, such as GIFFORDS, which characterized the move as an effort to please the gun lobby. The ruling follows recent Supreme Court decisions that have shifted the legal standards for evaluating firearm restrictions.
Entities
Department of Justice · Donald Trump · Elliot Gaiser · Giffords · Office of Legal Counsel · Supreme Court of the United States · T. Elliot Gaiser · Todd Blanche
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Eighteen-year-olds are considered members of the political community and possess Second Amendment rights. looniepolitics.com · www.buckeyefirearms.org · www.breitbart.com · pjmedia.com · thefederalist.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The federal ban on selling handguns to adults aged 18 to 20 is unconstitutional. looniepolitics.com · bearingarms.com · www.buckeyefirearms.org · www.breitbart.com · pjmedia.com · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gun control group GIFFORDS criticized the decision as an attempt to please the gun lobby. www.cbsnews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The DOJ will not prosecute licensed dealers for selling handguns to law-abiding adults aged 18 to 20. looniepolitics.com · www.buckeyefirearms.org · thefederalist.com · www.troyrecord.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Federal statutes 18 U. S. C. § 922(b)(1) and (c)(1) violate the Second Amendment. www.buckeyefirearms.org · pjmedia.com