Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., on Tuesday introduced a bill to lower the legal limit to buy a handgun to 18 around the country.
The Second Amendment Mandates Equality Act of 2021 would repeal the federal law that currently prohibits anyone under 21 from purchasing a handgun. It’s co-sponsored by GOP Sens. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Steve Daines of Montana, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Mike Braun of Indiana, and Mike Crapo and Jim Risch of Idaho. It was sponsored by by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the House.
"The Second Amendment is a constitutional right, and does not treat 18-year-olds as second-class adults," Lummis said in a statement.
"In keeping with the Supreme Court’s Heller decision, the SAME Act would overturn our current restrictive anti-handgun statute and ensure equal treatment under law for adults under 21. Ultimately, if we trust 18-year-olds enough to defend our country and to choose our elected officials, we should trust them enough to purchase a handgun."
Co-sponsor Risch asserted that "arbitrary" age restrictions on "law-abiding adults" is "out of line with our country’s foundational beliefs."
The SAME Act is also supported by Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights.
"Why are military-aged adults banned from purchasing a handgun? Why should a 20-year-old single mother not be able to purchase and carry a concealed handgun for self-defense?" National Association for Gun Rights’ Hunter King said in a statement, adding the association "stands with Senator Lummis and her efforts to dismantle this unconstitutional restriction."
Twenty-two states allow handgun purchases to 18-year-olds, according to Giffords Law Center. Federal law prohibits handgun sales by licensed dealers to anyone under 21.
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