Texas (WBAP/IKLIF) – A federal judge in Fort Worth says that the Lone Star State cannot prohibit 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman cited the Second Amendment in his decision Thursday. Pittman said the Second Amendment does not specify an age limit and protects adults under 21 years old.
“Based on the Second Amendment’s text, as informed by Founding-Era history and tradition, the Court concludes that the Second Amendment protects against this prohibition,” Pittman wrote in the ruling.
The law also bans 18-20 year olds from getting a license to carry a handgun or carrying a handgun for self-defense outside their homes.
Two plaintiffs, along with the Firearms Policy Coalition Inc., filed a lawsuit against the state to challenge the statute. According to the suit, the law prevented the plaintiffs from traveling with a handgun where they live, work and go to school in Texas.
Pittman stayed the ruling for 30 days pending appeal, which means that it won’t go into effect immediately.
The decision is likely to be appealed as it comes just three months after the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas on May 23 when a gunman had purchased 2 AR-15 style rifles just days after turning 18. He went on to kill 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The gunman was killed by police.
(Copyright 2022 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News.)
