NRA appeals Texas ruling on sale of handguns to 18-year-olds

People ages 18, 19 and 20 should have the right to protect themselves by buying handguns from federally licensed dealers, and the law limiting such handgun sales to people 21 and older violates their 2nd and 14th Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association argued in a lawsuit filed in North Texas last year. In late September, U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings dismissed the case. He noted that 18-20 year olds can legally possess handguns and ammunition. Citing a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, he also wrote that it is up to Congress, not the courts, to decide the wisdom of laws restricting commercial gun sales. The NRA and 18 and 19-year-old Texas residents in whose names the suit was filed have appealed the ruling to the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.  Meanwhile, a second lawsuit filed by the NRA about gun rights for 18-20 year olds is set for trial in February. The suit against the Texas Department of Public Safety challenges a state law that sets age restrictions on carrying a handgun. Young people ages 18-20 should have that right, the NRA argues. Texas does allow current or honorably discharged military service members ages 18-20 to carry handguns. -- Lois Norder

Comments

[jessica]

I PRAY EVEYDAY TO GOD THAT , GUNS WILL BE BAND ALL OVER THE U.S ....THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHOULD HAVE A GUN ARE POLICE MEN ...GUN SHOULD NOT BE SOLD ANY WHERES. BECAUSE ALL THEY DO IS END UP IN THE WRONG HANDS OF CARELESS PEOPLE. THAT ARE OUT TO KILL SOMEONE OVER STUPID THINGS.....I SAY NO GUNS SOLD ANYWHERES....IF IT WAS UP TO ME I WOULD PASS THE LAW AND MAKE SURE EVERY GUN IS TAKIN AWAY AND ANY ONE THAT HAD ONE WOULD DO TIME IN JAIL...