In Pennsylvania, Americans 18-20 years old are allowed to carry guns during a state of emergency. For many U.S. citizens, especially families of mass shooting victims, this decision is unacceptable.
A young boy shoots an AR-15 rifle and other weapons at a shooting range during the “Rod of Iron Freedom Festival” on October 12, 2019, in Greeley, Pennsylvania. The two-day event is organized by Kahr Arms/Tommy Gun Warehouse and Rod of Iron Ministries.
Based on recent statistics, the rate of gun homicides conducted by criminals 18 to 20 years old is higher compared to those involving Americans older than 21 years old.
However, on Jan. 18, a federal court in Pennsylvania ruled that the banning of 18-20-year-old Americans from carrying firearms during a declared state of emergency is unconstitutional.
Why Young Adults 18-20 Years Old Can Carry Guns During State of Emergency
According to CBS News' latest report, the 3rd U.S. Circuit judges ruled that Americans between the ages of 18 and 20 years old should enjoy the same Second Amendment rights.
In a 2-1 decision, involved judges relied on the U.S. Supreme Court's influential "Bruen decision." Reuters reported that this is the latest instance that a court struck down a gun law after the landscape of firearms regulation was changed by the Supreme Court's conservative majority.
U.S. Circuit Judge Kent Jordan argued that the Second Amendment applies to all adult Americans, including the 18-20-year-old age group.
"We are aware of no founding-era law that supports disarming people in that age group," he added.
U.S. Circuit Judge D. Brooks, Kent's fellow appointee of Republican former President George W. Bush, supported his notion.
"Our question is whether the (state police) commissioner has borne his burden of proving that evidence of founding-era regulations supports Pennsylvania's restriction on 18-to-20- year-olds' Second Amendment rights, and the answer to that is no," explained Kent Jordan.
Read Also: Court Rules Pennsylvania Gun Ban for Adults Under 21 Unconstitutional
Consequences of Pennsylvania's Decision
A range of pistols is seen on display at a National Rifle Association outdoor sports trade show on February 10, 2017, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. - The Great American Outdoor Show, a nine-day event celebrating hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions, features over 1,000 exhibitors ranging from shooting manufacturers to outfitters to fishing boats and RVs, and archery to art.
There's no denying that many Americans were satisfied with the decision of Pennsylvania. However, numerous firearm experts shared their concerns regarding its consequences.
One of them is Everytown Law's Senior Director Janet Carter. She said that many studies proved that Americans 18 to 20 years old who were involved in mass shootings have tripled compared to 21-year-old shooters.
Carter added that Pennsylvania's gun restriction law has been an essential tool to prevent gun violence in the state. Because of this, the Everytown Law senior director urges officials to reverse their decision.
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