Should the Minimum Age to Buy a Handgun be Lowered to 18 From 21? (H.R. 5112)

What is H.R. 5112?

(Updated March 24, 2021)

This bill — the SAFER Voter Act — would lower the federal minimum age to buy a handgun from 21 to 18 years of age, the same age at which a person becomes eligible to vote and an adult in the eyes of the law. Currently, federal law prohibits licensed gun dealers from allowing anyone under age 21 to buy a handgun — although they can buy rifles or shotguns.

The bill’s full title is the Second Amendment For Every Registrable Voter Act.

Argument in favor

Federal law shouldn’t prohibit adults who can vote and are between 18 and 20 years old from buying a handgun. Why should a 20 year old mother be denied the right to defend herself and her family with a handgun?

Argument opposed

Lowering the federal minimum age to buy a handgun from 21 to 18 years old would increase gun violence. Being eligible to vote at 18 doesn’t mean a person is responsible enough to own a handgun.

Impact

People between 18 and years of age who would buy a handgun; gun dealers; and law enforcement.

Cost of H.R. 5112

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced this bill to lower the minimum age to buy a handgun from 21 to 18:

“Why should a 20-year old single mom be denied the right to defend herself and her children? 18, 19, and 20-year-olds are considered adults and are able to vote on important public policy issues. They can also form business contracts, get married and serve in the military. As adults, these Americans should not be deprived of basic constitutional rights.

Recent proposals to raise the minimum age to purchase a long gun from 18 to 21 are not simply misguided, but are also unconstitutional, especially if citizens under 21 are barred from purchasing a handgun. District of Columbia v. Heller established that gun control measures cannot be so draconian as to completely extinguish the right to keep and bear arms, yet that’s what happens when all gun purchases are prohibited for a certain class of adults based on age.”

This legislation has the support of two cosponsors in the House, both of whom are Republicans.

Media:

• Conservative Review