{
  "id": 8291589,
  "title": "DOJ says ban on selling handguns to young adults under 21 is unconstitutional",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/doj-says-ban-on-selling-handguns-to-young-adults-under-21-is",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T19:20:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-ban-handguns-under-21-unconstitutional/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Justice Department has released a legal opinion concluding that a federal gun law prohibiting handgun sales to individuals aged 18 to 20 is unconstitutional, as it infringes upon their Second Amendment rights. This decision came just a day after CBS News reported that the DOJ will not appeal a court ruling that deregulates certain weapons under the National Firearms Act. The handgun ban originated from a separate law, as the legal system considers an 18-year-old mature enough to fulfill various adult responsibilities, including military service, voting, serving as a juror, and receiving the death penalty. Despite this, the OLC opinion states that it would have been a federal felony for a licensed dealer to sell a handgun to a young adult who later attended the University of Texas at Arlington. The opinion is not legally binding, but it may lead federal prosecutors to avoid pursuing felony charges against dealers suspected of selling handguns to individuals under 21. The pro-gun control group GIFFORDS criticized the decision, accusing the Trump administration of protecting the gun lobby. People aged 18 to 20 have been involved in a significant number of school shootings, mass shootings, and overall gun homicides, suggesting that minimum age laws are necessary. The story is currently being updated.",
  "summary": "The Justice Department released a new legal opinion that concludes a federal law prohibiting firearms dealers from selling handguns to people between the ages of 18 and 20 is unconstitutional.",
  "key_points": [
    "DOJ's legal opinion declares handgun ban on 18-20-year-olds unconstitutional.",
    "Law considers 18-year-olds mature for adult responsibilities like military service.",
    "Gun control group GIFFORDS criticizes decision, alleging protection of gun lobby."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}