NRA CHALLENGES CONSTITUTIONALITY OF FEDERAL HANDGUN BAN FOR LAW ABIDING 18-20 YEAR OL

NRA CHALLENGES CONSTITUTIONALITY OF FEDERAL HANDGUN BAN FOR LAW ABIDING 18-20 YEAR OLDS​

Wednesday, September 08, 2010


Fairfax, Va. -- The NRA is challenging federal laws that prohibit law-abiding Americans eighteen through twenty years of age from legally purchasing a handgun through a federally licensed firearm dealer. The case was filed Tuesday evening in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Lubbock Division. James D'Cruz of Lubbock, TX is the plaintiff in this case.
"In Heller and McDonald, the U.S. Supreme Court clearly stated that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms for all law-abiding Americans," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "That right is not limited only to Americans twenty-one years of age and older. Indeed, throughout our nation's history, adults beginning at age eighteen have served in the military and fought for this country with honor. But while the Supreme Court has consistently made clear that the federal government cannot ban or unduly restrict sales of items protected by the Constitution, the federal government continues to prohibit these adults from purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers, which represent the largest and most accessible means of purchasing handguns."
The suit asserts: "At eighteen years of age, law-abiding citizens in this country are considered adults for almost all purposes and certainly for the purposes of the exercise of fundamental constitutional rights. Indeed, at eighteen, citizens are eligible (and male citizens could be conscripted) to serve in the military-to fight and die by arms for the country. Yet, Section 922(b)(1) prohibits law-abiding adults in this age group from lawfully purchasing -- from the most prevalent and readily available source -- what the Supreme Court has called "the quintessential self-defense weapon" and "the most popular weapon chosen by Americans for self-defense in the home."
The plaintiff, Mr. D'Cruz, is well-trained in the proper handling and use of firearms, including handguns. His initial training was with his grandfather, a World War II veteran, who wanted his grandchildren to understand the proper and safe techniques for use and storage of firearms. Mr. D'Cruz received further training from his father and as a member of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps, where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. During his junior and senior years of high school, Mr. D'Cruz was a member of the JROTC's marksmanship team, and as member of that team has competed in regional and national marksmanship competitions. Mr. D'Cruz received numerous awards, including a first place medal for marksmanship, in a regional competition. Mr. D'Cruz also received a Foreign Legion unit award for marksmanship.
The case is D'Cruz v. BATFE.

 

Good for them. Although, I am not sure if this is the right time to be picking this fight. We have bigger gun issues at hand.

 

this is awesome. we will see how everything works out. and how they classify the 18-20 year old's as law abiding so there is going to be some restrictions still but hope it passes and maybe they can lower the age for concealed

 

True.

I'm not sure why they would make a law that would prohibit 18-20 year old's from buying handguns? But, I'm not surprised with a lot of gun laws these days.
If you hate guns, you'll try to come up with all sorts of gun laws, no matter if they aren't constitutional.

They are legal to vote at 18, legal to fight wars for us, legal to smoke, legal to sign a contract without parental permission, own a business, can rent apartments and buy houses....should be able to buy a handgun with clean history.

I hope this works out.

 

I'm for it...let the 18 year old who can vote, and serve in the military own a pistol. They can already buy those dreaded black rifles that kill people by just sitting there (Sarcasim). I say we should also let them drink...if you can fight and die for this country then why can't you have a beer or two while you at it.

 

Lubbock, Texas teen challenges federal gun law​

Lubbock courtroom could be the location of a major change in national gun laws. James A. D'Cruz, 18, has asked a federal judge to declare unconstitutional the ban on handgun sales by federally licensed dealers to 18 20 year olds. The suit against the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives was filed just days after D'Cruz visited Sharp Shooters, Inc. and asked if he was legally able to buy a handgun. The employee told him he couldn't.


Read About It: The Avalanche Journal (Lubbock, Texas)

 

Amen. Thats how we role.