FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — An appeals court has ruled that a federal law banning licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults between age 18 and 21 is unconstitutional.
In a 2-1 opinion Tuesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond overturned a lower court ruling upholding the law, which has been in place since 1968.
Judge Julius Richardson wrote that the law relegates both the right to bear arms and young adults under age 21 to second-class status.
The chief counsel at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence called the ruling a “very dangerous” and “clearly incorrect” decision. The Biden administration has the option to appeal the ruling.