# DOJ says gun sales ban for under-21s unconstitutional

> Justice Department declares federal gun sales ban for under-21s unconstitutional.
- Title: DOJ says gun sales ban for under-21s unconstitutional
- Summary: Justice Department declares federal gun sales ban for under-21s unconstitutional. The U.S. Justice Department stated that federal law restricting licensed…
- Keywords: second amendment, federal law, handgun sales, under-21, justice department, constitutional challenge, gun rights, news, local, DOJ, gun, sales
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/ban-on-selling-handguns-to-young-adults-under-21-is-unconstitutional-justice-department-says
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: second amendment, federal law, handgun sales, under-21, justice department, constitutional challenge, gun rights, news, local
## Federal law on gun sales for under-21s
The Justice Department says federal law banning licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to young adults under age 21 is unconstitutional and unenforceable.
## Second Amendment violation
The law aimed at making it harder for 18- to 20-year-olds to get handguns violates the Second Amendment, according to the Justice Department.
## Trump administration stance
The Trump administration will not defend or prosecute cases under the law that has been the subject of competing court rulings after a Supreme Court decision transformed firearm laws.
## Assistant Attorney General statement
Assistant Attorney General Elliot Gaiser said eighteen-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted, and face adult criminal penalties including capital punishment.
## Constitutional argument
The Constitution protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms, so the Department of Justice may not impose criminal penalties on dealers selling handguns to law-abiding adults who are members of the political community.
## Gun control groups reaction
Gun control groups called the Justice Department’s opinion misguided and dangerous, warning it will stop holding illegal sellers of handguns accountable for 18- to 20-year-olds.
## Key takeaway

The U.S. Justice Department stated that federal law restricting licensed dealers from selling handguns to 18-20-year-olds violates the Second Amendment and cannot be enforced.