NRA Appeals Florida Under-21 Gun Ban to Supreme Court

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review Florida's law raising the minimum age to purchase rifles and long guns from 18 to 21, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment rights of legal adults aged 18 to 20. This challenge follows a split in federal appeals courts, with the 11th Circuit upholding the law and the 5th Circuit declaring a similar restriction unconstitutional. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has stated he will not defend the law if the Supreme Court hears the case, citing constitutional concerns since adults old enough to serve in the military should be able to purchase firearms. Separately, the Second Amendment Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against Connecticut’s similar ban on handgun purchases for adults under 21, contending that age-based restrictions infringe on constitutional rights without historical precedent. Both cases highlight ongoing legal battles over age restrictions and gun ownership rights in the U.S., with implications for similar laws nationwide. The outcomes could establish significant precedents regarding Second Amendment protections for young adults.