The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal law prohibiting gun shops from selling handguns to individuals under 21, reigniting a contentious debate over Second Amendment rights. This ruling, which diverges from a similar case decided by the 5th Circuit that declared the age restriction unconstitutional, elevates the likelihood that the issue will be escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court for resolution.
The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by John Corey Fraser, challenging the 1968 law that allows those under 21 to buy rifles but prohibits handgun purchases. The panel’s majority opinion invokes the “infancy doctrine” in contract law, arguing such age restrictions are historically justified. The decision has drawn sharp dissent, underscoring the divided opinions on regulating access to firearms among young adults in America.
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