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Michigan AG Dana Nessel joins 18 other state attorneys general in defending a Pennsylvania law restricting concealed carry for individuals under 21.
Gun Law Restrictions Under Fire as Michigan Joins Legal Battle
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit to revisit a decision that struck down a Pennsylvania law prohibiting individuals under 21 from carrying concealed weapons in public. The coalition’s latest legal action comes in response to a ruling favoring the plaintiffs in Lara v. Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, a case challenging the state’s age-based gun restrictions.
The law, which has been in place for years, limits concealed carry permits to individuals aged 21 and older. It also imposes additional firearm restrictions during declared states of emergency. The appellate court recently struck down these provisions, raising concerns that similar firearm restrictions in more than 30 states may now face legal challenges.
Nessel: Protecting Public Safety Through Sensible Gun Laws
Attorney General Nessel emphasized the need for states to retain their authority to regulate firearms, particularly when it comes to limiting access for younger individuals.
“States have the right to implement commonsense regulations to protect their residents from gun violence,” Nessel said in a statement. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in their efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety.”
Nessel, a Democrat and a vocal advocate for gun control measures has repeatedly supported firearm restrictions in Michigan and beyond. She previously joined a similar coalition in 2021 to defend Pennsylvania’s age-based concealed carry law in the same case.
Legal Experts Weigh in on the Constitutional Debate
The legal battle over Pennsylvania’s firearm restrictions underscores a growing national debate over Second Amendment rights and age-based firearm laws. The attorneys general involved argue that laws restricting young adults from carrying concealed weapons align with historical firearm regulations in the U.S., which have existed for more than 150 years.
Legal scholars suggest that this case could have broader implications. If the appellate court’s ruling stands, it could set a precedent that undermines similar gun laws across the country.
“The court’s opinion, if not corrected, raises serious concerns about whether states can enforce reasonable firearm regulations,” the coalition stated in its legal brief.
Opposition Challenges Age-Based Restrictions
Gun rights advocates argue that age-based restrictions violate the Second Amendment and unfairly target young adults. Organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and other pro-gun groups have supported challenges to similar laws, claiming that constitutional rights should not be restricted based on age.
“An 18-year-old can serve in the military, vote, and enter into contracts but is being told they can’t exercise their constitutional right to bear arms,” said a representative from a national gun rights organization.
Supporters of Pennsylvania’s law, however, argue that the historical precedent of firearm restrictions justifies these measures. States have long imposed minimum age requirements for firearms purchases and concealed carry permits, viewing them as necessary for public safety.
Broader Impact on Michigan Gun Laws
Michigan currently allows individuals 18 and older to purchase rifles and shotguns but restricts handgun purchases and concealed carry permits to those 21 and older. The outcome of the Pennsylvania case could influence future legal challenges to Michigan’s firearm laws.
Gun control advocates in Michigan have already expressed concern over efforts to weaken gun regulations. Following the Oxford High School shooting in 2021, state lawmakers have pushed for stronger gun control measures, including expanded background checks and safe storage requirements.
Nessel’s involvement in the case suggests that Michigan may continue to back states fighting to uphold age-based firearm regulations.
What Happens Next?
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit will now consider the arguments presented by Nessel and her fellow attorneys general. If the court decides to revisit its ruling, the case could ultimately impact how states across the country enforce their age-based gun laws.
For now, proponents of stronger gun control measures see this legal battle as a crucial test of states’ ability to regulate firearms.
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