SHOULD STATES LOWER THE MINIMUM AGE TO CARRY CONCEALED?
There is no federal law concerning the issuance of concealed-carry permits. Additionally, under federal U.S. law, it’s not unlawful for an 18-year-old to possess a handgun. The only federal restriction with relation to handguns or long guns relates to the sale of guns. Federal law prohibits the public sales of a hand gun to a person under 21; however a long gun can be sold to person over the age of 18.
State law essentially controls the rights to carry concealed or possess a handgun or long gun. An 18-to-20-year-old cannot, obtain a concealed carry license in any state, or possess a handgun or long gun in any state, as most set the threshold at 21. Even in constitutional carry states, restrictions on age may still apply.
Only Seven states allow a person under the age of 21 but above the age of 18 to obtain a concealed hand gun license: Alabama, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont. Four states do not have a specific age requirement Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.
Most recently in March, Utah legislature signed into law a bill allowing 18 to 20 year-olds to carry concealed weapons. Now Eight states allow a person between the age of 18 and 21 to carry a concealed handgun
Republican Rep. Karianne Lisonbee of Clearfield sponsors the bill and says,” younger college students should be able carry a concealed weapon to protect themselves from sexual assaults on campus just as older college students can. It’s interesting, we say that those who are 18 are old enough to vote, we say they are old enough to go die for us, for our freedoms in a foreign land, and yet we say that somehow they’re not mature enough to protect themselves by concealing a firearm,” said Rep.Lisonbee.
Rep. Lisonbee says,” the bill would give 18 to 20 year olds a permit to concealed carry if they complete a background check and fulfill certain requirements.” Those with such a permit would not be allowed to concealed carry on or near the premises of elementary and secondary schools.
But others argue the minimum age law is there for a reason. Laws imposing minimum age requirements for the possession and purchase of firearms are intended to decrease access to firearms by young people and, correspondingly, to decrease the number of suicides, homicides, and unintentional shootings among that population. Commonly cited statistics include:
- The National Center for Injury and Prevention and Control says every day in the U.S., guns cause the deaths of nine people under the age of 21.
- Based on data from the FBI, 18 to 24 year-olds account for a disproportionate percentage of arrests for homicide and violent crime in general.
At the age of 18, an individual is ready to enter college, enter the work force or enter into military service. Like anything else, with proper training, he or she should be to gain a healthy respect for guns and be able to make good decisions regarding the use of a firearm.
