Conservative congressman will introduce bill to lower the minimum age for handgun purchases

As President Trump considers a proposal to raise the minimum age for the purchase of certain firearms, one congressman will introduce a bill to lower the federal age requirement for purchasing handguns.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., will introduce the Second Amendment for Every Registrable Voter Act (HR. 5112), the "SAFER Voter Act," which would repeal the federal law that prevents adults between the ages of 18 and 20 from purchasing a handgun from federally licensed firearms dealers.

“Why should a 20-year-old single mom be denied the right to defend herself and her children?” Massie asked in an advance copy of a press release made available to Conservative Review.

“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.”

Massie argues that raising the minimum age to 21 for the purchase of certain rifles when there's already an age restriction on handguns would effectively nullify the Second Amendment rights of voting-age adults.

“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," Massie said. "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.”

At a bipartisan meeting Wednesday, President Trump repeatedly asked lawmakers about raising the minimum age to purchase the type of firearm used in the Parkland school shooting. The gunman who attacked Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school used an AR-15 rifle.

The president said he would give age restrictions "a lot of consideration."

UPDATE:

On Thursday, Rep. Massie, R-Ky., introduced his bill.