The Case for Allowing 18-Year-Olds to Own and Carry Handguns: A Constitutional Right?
As a lifelong advocate for constitutional rights, I have personally experienced the journey of gun ownership, starting with a long gun at age 12 and a revolver at 16. Now at 72, I have never shot anyone. My experience underscores the complex yet fundamentally simple question: should 18-year-olds be allowed to own and carry handguns?
The answer, as I have blatantly observed, is not as straightforward as it may seem. However, what is clear is that an 18-year-old can already perform various adult actions such as getting married without parental consent, voting, joining the military, and entering into legally binding contracts. Yet, there are restrictions on their ability to purchase tobacco, alcohol, or handguns from a federally licensed dealer.
The Case for Equal Rights
Given that 18-year-olds are legally allowed to undertake numerous responsibilities and commitments, why should they not have the same rights as adults, including the right to possess and carry firearms? If the powers that be have determined that 18-year-olds are not mature enough for everything an average 21-year-old is permitted to do, then the age for all such rights and responsibilities should be uniformly set at 21. Arbitrary and inconsistent age thresholds for rights and responsibilities are unjustifiable.
Supporting the Argument
YES
The concept of an 18-year-old as an adult is well-established in both law and practice. Carrying a handgun is a constitutional right enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. This right is fundamental and should be accessible to those who are deemed capable and responsible enough to exercise it.
From Military Service to Constitutional Rights
If you are required to fight and potentially die for your country, it’s reasonable to expect that you would also be entrusted with the right to protect yourself and others. Historically, military service has required soldiers to be qualified with various weapons. This intrinsic link between service and rights further supports the argument that 18-year-olds should have the same rights as adults.
The Meaning of Maturity
The age of majority, defined as 18, signifies the point at which individuals are granted full legal responsibility and rights. Prior to this age, parents and guardians are responsible for minors. Yet, if an individual can vote, marry, have children, join the military, and be tried as an adult, they should also have the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
The Irrelevance of Age
Age has nothing to do with mental health, personal responsibility, or the ability to exercise constitutional rights. The age of 18 is predetermined with all the associated responsibilities and rights, including the obligation to pay bills. This piecemeal approach to assigning rights and responsibilities based on arbitrary age thresholds is untenable.
Conclusion
In summary, the argument for allowing 18-year-olds to own and carry handguns is strong. The constitutional right to bear arms applies to all adults, and 18-year-olds, as adults, should be afforded the same rights as their older counterparts. The current system of uneven age restrictions for various rights and responsibilities needs to be reevaluated and standardized.