Tennessee Law Outlawing Adults Under 21 From Carrying Guns is Struck Down

On January 23, 2023, the Tennessee government publicly admitted that its plan to ban the carry of firearms by adults under 21 is unconstitutional.

Lawyers for the state signed an “agreed order,” which Tyler Durden noted “is a written agreement among parties to a lawsuit that becomes an order of the court upon the judge’s approval. “ In the agreed order that was signed on January 23, it said: 

The Challenged Scheme regulating the possession and carrying of handguns that restricts individuals aged 18 years old to 20 years old from carrying handguns or obtaining permits to carry handguns on the basis of age alone violates the Second and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

Defendant and his officers, agents, employees, and all others acting under his direction and control, are permanently enjoined from implementing or enforcing the Challenged Scheme.

In light of this order, the state has a 90-day deadline to start processing enhanced carry permit applications submitted by Tennessean residents under the age of 21. In addition, the state will have to pay up nearly $47,250 to cover the plaintiffs’ legal costs. 

In 2021, Tennessee passed Constitutional Carry, which ended the requirement for state residents 21 and older to obtain a permit to carry a handgun. However, the state does issue the so-called “enhanced handgun carry permit.” 

Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge noted that “The victory marks the end of nearly two years of litigation by the Firearms Policy Coalition and two Tennessee plaintiffs, Caleb Bassett, Blake Beeler and Logan Ogle, who were under 21 when the complaint was filed.” 

Tennessee’s progress on Second Amendment affairs is something for the Right to be optimistic about. Moreover, it would behoove the Right to continue expanding gun rights in red states and turning them into pro-freedom bastions. It’s the best way to defend citizens’ civil liberties against an ever-growing tyranny coming from Washington DC.

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