WorldPolitics
U.S. Justice Department says under-21 handgun sales ban is unconstitutional
The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel says a federal ban on licensed handgun sales to adults under 21 violates the Second Amendment and cannot be enforced, according to an opinion released Friday.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a legal opinion released Friday, September 19, 2026, that a federal law barring licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under age 21 is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
The opinion from the department's Office of Legal Counsel said the law, intended to make it harder for 18- to 20-year-olds to get handguns, violates the Second Amendment. It indicates the Trump administration will not defend or prosecute cases under the law.
The law has been the subject of competing court rulings after a landmark Supreme Court decision that transformed the legal landscape around firearms. In support of the view that the ban is unconstitutional, it was noted that 18-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted, and face adult criminal penalties, including capital punishment.
- Justice Department declares handgun sales ban t
- handgun sales ban
- under-21 handgun ban
- handgun sales to young adults
From
WorldPolitics
U.S. Justice Department says under-21 handgun sales ban is unconstitutional
The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel says a federal ban on licensed handgun sales to adults under 21 violates the Second Amendment and cannot be enforced, according to an opinion released Friday.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a legal opinion released Friday, September 19, 2026, that a federal law barring licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under age 21 is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
The opinion from the department's Office of Legal Counsel said the law, intended to make it harder for 18- to 20-year-olds to get handguns, violates the Second Amendment. It indicates the Trump administration will not defend or prosecute cases under the law.
The law has been the subject of competing court rulings after a landmark Supreme Court decision that transformed the legal landscape around firearms. In support of the view that the ban is unconstitutional, it was noted that 18-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted, and face adult criminal penalties, including capital punishment.
- Justice Department declares handgun sales ban t
- handgun sales ban
- under-21 handgun ban
- handgun sales to young adults
From