Court Upholds Colorado Law Limiting Gun Sales To Young Adults, Divides Public Opinion

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld a Colorado law restricting gun sales to individuals under the age of 21, a decision that has sparked significant debate over Second Amendment rights. This law, Senate Bill 23-169, was signed in 2023 by Gov. Jared Polis, raising the minimum age for firearm purchases from 18 to 21. While initially blocked by a lower court, the appellate court overturned that decision, allowing the age restriction to remain.

The appeals court panel, led by U.S. Circuit Judge Richard Federico, ruled that the age limit does not violate the Second Amendment. According to Federico, the law merely imposes a condition on the commercial sale of firearms and doesn’t constitute an outright denial of gun rights. He explained that regulations affecting the sale of guns, such as age restrictions, are “presumptively lawful” and align with historical precedents in American law.

Supporters of the law argue that it enhances public safety by limiting firearm access for younger individuals, who they believe may not possess the same level of impulse control as older adults. Advocates point to research suggesting that restricting gun sales for people under 21 could help reduce violent incidents involving young adults, which they claim justifies the age limit.

Gun rights groups, however, see the ruling as an infringement on constitutional rights. The Rocky Mountain Gun Owners (RMGO), one of the plaintiffs in the case, has expressed concern that the law unfairly restricts adults under 21 from exercising their Second Amendment rights. RMGO argues that the right to “keep and bear arms” should apply to all legal adults, regardless of age.

Critics also highlight the inconsistency in allowing 18-year-olds to vote, enlist in the military, and pay taxes, yet barring them from purchasing firearms for self-defense. They argue that this selective restriction undermines the fundamental rights of young adults and fails to align with the Second Amendment’s intent.

RMGO has announced plans to appeal the decision, with the potential to take the case to the Supreme Court. If the case proceeds, it could set a significant precedent on age-based gun restrictions and their compatibility with constitutional rights, sparking further debate on the issue.