DOJ ends enforcement of two Gun-Control statutes affecting handgun sales

On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department announced it will no longer enforce two federal statutes that have restricted handgun sales to adults under 21. The DOJ cited the 1968 Gun Control Act, which prohibited licensed dealers from selling handguns or handgun ammunition to those under 21, as inconsistent with the Second Amendment. The announcement comes after recent Supreme Court rulings that have clarified the scope of gun rights.

The Office of Legal Counsel’s opinion cites Heller (2008), Bruen (2022), and Wolford v. Lopez as the legal framework supporting the DOJ’s decision. The department argues that adults aged 18 to 20 are the “people” the Framers intended to protect under the Second Amendment. The ruling removes a statutory barrier that has limited gun sales for nearly six decades.

The DOJ’s decision is expected to broaden access to handguns for young adults and streamline the licensing process for dealers. It also aligns with recent federal policy shifts that aim to reduce regulatory burdens on gun owners. The move is part of a broader effort to modernize gun law enforcement across the country.

Read the full story at westernjournal.com.