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DOJ Declares Handgun Ban for 18–20-Year-Olds Unconstitutional

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 8:00 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Justice Department declared the federal ban on handgun sales to 18-20-year-olds unconstitutional.
Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser authored a 49-page opinion citing the Second Amendment.
The opinion says 18-year-olds have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, like voting.
The DOJ will not prosecute licensed dealers for selling handguns to law-abiding adults 18-20, despite statutes remaining.

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Story summary

The U.S. Justice Department declared the federal ban on handgun sales to 18-20-year-olds unconstitutional.
Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser authored a 49-page opinion citing the Second Amendment.
The opinion says 18-year-olds have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, like voting.
The DOJ will not prosecute licensed dealers for selling handguns to law-abiding adults 18-20, despite statutes remaining.