10th Circuit Upholds Colorado Gun Age Law

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Colorado's law raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms to 21, reversing a lower court's injunction. The court ruled that the law does not violate the Second Amendment, emphasizing that age-based restrictions on gun sales are widely accepted and serve to mitigate gun violence, particularly among young adults. Judge Richard Federico highlighted that the law neither prohibits gun possession nor non-commercial transfers, thus preserving the constitutional right to 'keep and bear arms' for older individuals. The decision allows for the law, initially passed in early 2023, to be enforced after a previous injunction blocked its implementation. The ruling is seen as a significant setback for gun rights advocates in Colorado and may pave the way for stricter regulations in the future. Proponents of the law argue it is crucial for public safety, given that guns are a leading cause of death among the under-21 demographic in the state.