The federal government loves telling Americans what they can and can’t do. Especially young Americans.

And especially when it comes to their constitutional rights.

For years, Washington bureaucrats have been challenging Second Amendment protections, deciding who gets to exercise their rights and who doesn’t.

But a federal appeals court just delivered a stunning blow to one of the government’s most discriminatory gun control restrictions – ruling that law-abiding adults under 21 can’t be banned from purchasing handguns just because of their age.

The unanimous decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, issued Thursday, completely dismantled the Biden administration’s arguments for restricting the Second Amendment rights of young Americans.

“Ultimately, the text of the Second Amendment includes eighteen-to-twenty-year-old individuals among ‘the people’ whose right to keep and bear arms is protected,” wrote Judge Edith Jones, delivering a clear message about constitutional rights that liberals won’t want to hear.

Restoring Constitutional Rights

The landmark ruling strikes down a 1968 law that banned federally licensed dealers from selling handguns to adults aged 18-20. For decades, the government has treated these young citizens like second-class Americans – even though they’re old enough to serve in the military and die for their country.

Biden’s Justice Department tried desperately to defend the ban, arguing that historical precedent supported age restrictions. But the three-judge panel, all appointed by Republican presidents, wasn’t buying it.

The court found the government presented “scant evidence” that similar restrictions existed when the Second Amendment was ratified. So much for following the Constitution’s “historical tradition” that the Supreme Court required in its landmark 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision.

Victory for Young Americans’ Rights

Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley noted that the ruling’s timing could work in favor of expanding gun rights. With President Trump now in office, his administration will likely defend rather than appeal the decision – ensuring this victory for Second Amendment rights stands.

The Firearms Policy Coalition, which helped bring the case, celebrated the ruling as “yet another critical FPC win against an immoral and unconstitutional age-based gun ban.”

Predictably, anti-gun groups are already spreading fear. Brady: United Against Gun Violence claimed the decision would “put more guns in the hands of teenagers.” They conveniently ignore that these “teenagers” are legal adults who can vote, sign contracts, and serve in combat roles in our military.

Building a Stronger Second Amendment

This ruling represents more than just a victory for 18-20 year olds. It signals a growing judicial recognition of the Second Amendment’s true scope and meaning after decades of government overreach.

The Biden administration’s continued attacks on gun rights keep running into one insurmountable obstacle: the Constitution. And with more constitutionalist judges on the bench, Americans’ fundamental right to keep and bear arms grows stronger every day.

This victory opens new opportunities to challenge other unconstitutional restrictions. While gun control advocates won’t stop trying to chip away at our rights, the courts are increasingly standing firm on constitutional principles.

For now, celebrate this win for freedom – but stay vigilant. The fight to protect our Second Amendment rights continues, and with each court victory, we move closer to fully restoring the constitutional rights our founders intended.

Key Takeaways

• Federal appeals court strikes down decades-old ban preventing adults 18-20 from purchasing handguns.
• Unanimous ruling by Republican-appointed judges confirms the Second Amendment protects young Americans’ rights.
• The Biden administration’s anti-gun arguments were thoroughly rejected by the court’s constitutional analysis.
• Trump’s presidency helps secure this victory by choosing not to appeal the decision.

Sources: The Hill, Fox News, New York Post