Posted on 11/25/2010 10:49:09 PM PST by goldstategop
Finally, the gun lobby has filed two lawsuits in federal court in Lubbock, Tex., to compel the State of Texas to allow young people between the ages of 18 and 20 years old to buy handguns and carry them concealed in public places.
The first suit challenges the longstanding federal law prohibiting licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to anyone under 21 years old. The second case contests a Texas law setting 21 as the minimum age for carrying a concealed weapon.
As a legal matter, both lawsuits should fail. In its recent Second Amendment rulings, the Supreme Court struck down complete bans on handgun ownership, but explicitly left room for limits on gun ownership and possession by felons and the mentally ill, and other reasonable restrictions like Texas age limitations. The Supreme Court has said nothing to suggest that the Second Amendment requires Americans to allow armed teenagers in their communities.
Beyond the dubious legal claims, the idea that young individuals ages 18 to 20 have a constitutional right to buy weapons and carry them loaded and concealed in public is breathtakingly irresponsible.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
In Indiana 18 to 20 year olds can purchase a handgun from an unlicensed dealer and also obtain a permit to carry it. There is no more problem from these young Hoosier adults than any other age group of permit holders. So the article is simply ignorant.
In other words the pen is mightier than the sword.
Not only that but they are trusted to vote too.
It’s all of a piece with the left’s effort to infantilise the whole country (see “nanny state”) and make government everybody’s “daddy”.
People forget that it’s only been in recent history that this category “teenager” has existed. Once upon a time people were children then they were adults with all the attendant responsibilities.
18 year olds cancarry a weapon in the military they should be able to carry one outside the military, They should also be allowed to drink a beer if they want to.
Who was it that decided a man wasn’t a man until he turned 21? That’s BS.
I have a direct ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War, as an infantryman, not a flag bearer or bugler. He was 12 years old. It is documented.
The Democrat Party defended the practice of second-class citizenship for black Americans when they fought tooth and nail against the Civil Rights Act in the 60’s, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re defending second-class citizenship for another group of American citizens.
Better yet: Let's require a license and a 7-day waiting period for purchase of a copy of the New York Times. Aftrer all, the constitutional protection of the free press doesn't apply to newspapers of child pornographers who charge for their publications, since they're not *free,* nor to those who charge for advertising inside those publications.
The founders clearly meant that the *free press* was such material as political pamphlets, fliers, broadsides and the internet. Far-thinking guys, those founders of ours!
"Noöne is ever safe" - Sarah Connor.
This is just another area of liberal hypocrisy rearing it's head.
And keep in mind that a .44 cap and ball Navy revolver that 18-20 year olds are permitted to buy without a waiting period (as least here in California) is as lethal as ever it was. That such weapons are not sought out by criminals for crimes shows that first that lack of gun control does not create crime opportunities, and that laws restricting guns have no effect on criminals.
It's more of the same nanny-state BS, and to this regard (about age limitation of implicit and explicit liberties), Republicans AND conservatives are just as complicit at the big-footed liberals.
Liberals believe that they will control the possessors of guns. Thus, guns should only be held by the GESTAPO and concentration camp guards so they can protect themselves as they prod you into the gas chambers. After all, armed sheep are dangerous..
Isnt the age limit on firearms a federal law?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.