The Justice Department said Sept. 18 that a federal law barring licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns and handgun ammunition to adults ages 18 to 20 violates the Second Amendment and cannot be enforced. The department’s Office of Legal Counsel issued the opinion under President Trump, saying the administration will not defend or prosecute cases under the restriction [cbsnews.com][abcnews.com][nypost.com]. Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser said 18-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted and face adult criminal penalties, while federal law restricts their handgun purchases from licensed dealers. The opinion follows conflicting rulings by federal appeals courts after the Supreme Court’s 2022 firearms decision; 18- to 20-year-olds can already buy handguns from private sellers and purchase long guns from licensed dealers at 18 [abcnews.com][deccanchronicle.com]. Highlights: • On Sept. 17, CBS News reported that the Justice Department would not appeal a ruling that largely deregulates silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and other bespoke guns under the National Firearms Act [cbsnews.com]. "Eighteen-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted, and face adult criminal penalties, including capital punishment. The Constitution protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms. The Department of Justice may not constitutionally seek to impose criminal penalties on dealers who sell handguns to law-abiding adults who, in nearly every other relevant respect, are members of the political community." — T. Elliot Gaiser Sources: • DOJ says ban on selling handguns to young adults under 21 is unconstitutional - cbsnews.com • Gun Rights at 18? Trump's DOJ Just Made a Major Second Amendment Call - pjmedia.com • Ban on selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional: Justice Department - abcnews.com • Ban on selling handguns to young adults under 21 deemed unconstitutional, DOJ says - nypost.com • Ban on selling handguns to young adults under 21 is unconstitutional, Justice Department says - seattletimes.com • Ban on selling handguns to young adults under 21 is unconstitutional: U.S. Justice Department - thehindu.com • US Justice Department: Ban on Handgun Sales to Under-21s is Unconstitutional - deccanchronicle.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News