MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota gun law has gained national attention, after a federal court ruled the state’s law banning 18- to 20-year-olds from getting a firearm permit was unconstitutional.
The Minnesota’s Gun Owners Caucus is one of the organizations that challenged this law. Three individuals who were under the age of 21, at the time of the lawsuit, were also listed as plaintiffs.
“We finally got the opinion from the Eighth Circuit of Appeals that affirmed the lower court ruling and cited in our favor,” said senior vice president of Minnesota’s Gun Owners Caucus Rob Doar. “A lot of members and supporters are excited.”
Doar said the case was originally filed in 2021.
“The case has been going on so long that two of our plaintiffs actually just reached the age where they could lawfully apply for their permit,” he said.
A three-judge panel from the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit stated the state’s current law is unconstitutional.
“It’s significant because it’s an affirmation that when it comes to constitutional rights, they’re entitled to everybody and you don't have to reach an arbitrary age in order to have the full exercise of your right,” Doar said.
However, not everyone is happy with the court's decision.
“We’re absolutely disappointed in this position. We know that the gun violence epidemic is a huge problem in this state,” said the Director of Protect Minnesota Maggiy Emery.
When it comes to owning guns, Emery said age should matter. She said there is a difference between an 18-year-old and 21-year-old having a permit to carry a firearm.
“I think it’s just a question of three years of development. We know that young people are significantly overrepresented in firearm homicide deaths because young people are impulsive and don’t have the skillset to make good decisions,” she said.
She said her biggest concern is that people under the age of 21, don’t have the decision-making skills necessary to handle a firearm.
It’s a sentiment shared by Attorney General Keith Ellison. In a statement, he said in part, “the people of Minnesota want and deserve solutions that reduce shootings and improve public safety, and today's ruling only makes that more difficult. Despite this setback, I remain as committed as ever to improving public safety in Minnesota by championing and defending lifesaving, common-sense gun violence prevention measures.”
Doar said Ellison has 21 days to appeal the federal court's decision.
A spokesperson for Ellison’s office said they are exploring their options when it comes to filing an appeal.