DOJ will not enforce federal handgun ban for those aged 18 to 20
Axios · September 18, 2026Original source ↗
What happened
The Justice Department announced that it will not criminally enforce a federal law that prohibits licensed gun dealers from selling handguns to individuals aged 18 to 20. The decision follows a legal opinion stating that the restriction violates the Second Amendment.
Why it matters
This decision could impact the ability of adults under 21 to purchase handguns from licensed dealers.
How this story affects people
How does this story affect you if you are aged 18 to 20?
You may now have increased access to purchase handguns from licensed dealers, as the federal ban on such sales is no longer being enforced. This change could allow you to legally buy a handgun, although it remains uncertain how quickly dealers will respond to this decision.
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