Supreme Court Leaves Gun Permit Age Rulings Intact

The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals on Minnesota's ban on gun-carry permits for 18- to 20-year-olds and the University of Michigan's campus gun ban, leaving lower court rulings in place. The Eighth Circuit had struck down Minnesota's age restriction, ruling it inconsistent with the Second Amendment, while the University of Michigan's campus ban was allowed to stand. Gun rights advocates view the Supreme Court's refusal as affirmation of young adults' Second Amendment rights, while gun control supporters argue such measures are needed due to high gun-related deaths among youth. The decisions highlight ongoing legal debates, as lower courts remain divided on the constitutionality of age-based gun restrictions. The Supreme Court's reluctance to intervene comes after its expansion of gun rights in 2022 and a 2024 decision upholding certain federal gun control laws. These developments suggest the Court is not currently seeking to further define the scope of gun regulations.