Pennsylvania young adults aged 18, 19 and 20 years old can now apply for a concealed carry license in the Keystone State.

On Wednesday, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled that the state law forbidding adults under 21 from applying for a carry permit is unconstitutional, as is the law banning adults that age from open carrying during an emergency.

The case, Lara v. Evanchick, was filed by the Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens.

“Defendant has prohibited, absent a license to carry firearms, a particular class of persons, including Plaintiffs and those similarly situated, from carrying a firearm in their pockets for the purpose of being armed and ready for offensive or defensive action in case of conflict with another person, in direct violation of the Second and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution,” Judge William S. Stickman wrote in the ruling. “Specifically, even though the U.S. Supreme Court in Heller declared that to ‘bear arms’ includes the ‘carry [of a firearm] … in a pocket, for the purpose … of being armed and ready for offensive or defensive action in a case of conflict with another person.’”

Judge Stickman further wrote that the Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police “is hereby enjoined from arresting law-abiding persons 18 to 20 years old who openly carry firearms during a state of emergency declared by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” And he further enjoined the commissioner and his subordinates from preventing “any individual between the ages of 18 and 20 years old, who are not disqualified from exercising their Second Amendment rights from carrying loaded, operable firearms, including handguns, on their person, in public and in their vehicles, for all lawful purposes including self-defense.”

Adam Kraut, SAF executive director, said following the decision that it was an important ruling for young adults in the state.

“Judge Stickman’s injunction has conferred the same Second Amendment rights upon 18 to 20 year olds that those over 21 have had,” Kraut said. “Now 18 to 20 year olds in Pennsylvania may apply for License to Carry Firearms and the state’s draconian transportation laws have been enjoined from enforcement. This is a victory for Second Amendment rights in Pennsylvania.”

Ironically, the ruling came just days after the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced another round of rulemaking that included “enhanced” background checks on American adults aged 18 to 20. Given the 2022 ruling in Bruen and the recent ruling in Pennsylvania, it’s likely that one will be overturned, too, when it finally makes its way into the courtroom.

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24 COMMENTS

    • “The consequences of allowing the government to determine your ability to exercise your Constitutional Rights“

      Did you even read the article you linked to?

      There’s no scandal with government overreach, citizens neglected to ensure the instructors they used were adequately credentialed to conduct gun safety courses:

      “The DPS has found that 27 concealed carry instructors had failed to renew their credentials, prompting an immediate suspension of their permits.
      As a result, those taught by these instructors, including Clark, have been instructed to retake their training courses. While the courses will be offered without tuition costs, participants will still need to cover ammunition and range fees.”

      • No ,gov overreach? Requiring training and permits to exercise a basic human and civil right is not an overreach if you’re a fascist.

        Where did you get your .gov sanctioned training and permit to exercise your right to speak? Vote?

  2. You either are a legal adult, or you are not.

    I’m willing to compromise with the leftist-fascists, however.

    If they feel you are not mature enough to walk around armed, let’s make the legal age something like 25 or so.

    That’s for *all* things, voting, signing contracts, etc.

    Seem reasonable to you?

      • If I started such a lawsuit, I would likely loose most of my modest small-business income as well as my retirement income which is based on my small-business. (My customer base would hear about my involvement in such a lawsuit: most would be irate and take their business elsewhere.)

        Alternate small business and employment options are limited where I live and I would most likely have to move to another area or even another state. That is an additional giant drawback.

        I have sacrificed a LOT for other people in my lifetime–probably a lot more than 99.9% of the population. Someone else can step up to the proverbial plate is this regard.

  4. Now to drag N.J. AG Hymie Shyster, the self-hating “Jew”, before the court and secure a victory for those trapped behind the lines in The Garbage State. About that N.J. AG, Matt PlatKIN, if the Rutgers Univ. Hamastinians set him afire I wouldn’t piss on him to put the flames out.

    • I’m thrilled to think the Supremes might OK absolute presidential immunity.
      It would really work out for the Democrats if his arguments prevail.
      First, Joe Biden could blow a hole through Donald with his double barrel, and be absolutely immune from prosecution.

      Then, following Trump, Cheesebro and Eastman’s doctrine, vice president Kamala Harris will only certify the electoral ballots confirming Gavin Newson as the new President of the United States.

      Mission accomplished!

      • At least you’re finally telling the truth about your agenda, miner. You have always been in support of tyranny.

        • “you’re finally telling the truth about your agenda, miner“

          That’s not my agenda, that’s Donald Trump‘s playbook that he and his co-conspirators attempted to execute in December and January after the 2020 election.

          If you have a problem with that agenda, why didn’t you speak up in 2021?

          You conservatives should be thrilled the Democrats have the opportunity now to execute your wonderful plan, you’re welcome sir.

        • I love how you fascists are still running the same plays. False flags on the borders of Germany and Poland to excuse an invasion and making a mostly peaceful protest look like an insurrection.

          Tired old playbook. You guys never learn from history.

          Nuremberg 2.0 will be a complete surprise to you.

        • “look like an insurrection“

          A FAILED insurrection.

          And rest easy, Nuremberg 2.0 has been in progress for months, more accountability for some domestic enemies of the United States:

          “Arizona indicts 18 in election interference case, including Giuliani and Meadows
          BY JACQUES BILLEAUD, JOSH KELETY AND JONATHAN J. COOPER
          Updated 11:34 PM EDT, April 24, 2024

          PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona grand jury has indicted former President Donald Trump ‘s chief of staff Mark Meadows, lawyer Rudy Giuliani and 16 others for their roles in an attempt to overturn Trump’s loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election.

          The indictment released Wednesday names 11 Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring that Trump won Arizona in 2020. They include the former state party chair, a 2022 U.S. Senate candidate and two sitting state lawmakers, who are charged with nine counts each of conspiracy, fraud and forgery.

          The identities of seven other defendants, including Giuliani and Meadows, were not immediately released because they had not yet been served with the documents. They were readily identifiable based on descriptions of the defendants, however.
          Trump himself was not charged but was referred to as an unindicted co-conspirator.“

        • Just remember, miner. Robespierre, goebbels and a few others through out history thought they had the winning side. Turns out they was wrong.

          And with your man spreading misery and despair all across the country it ain’t looking good for you guys.

          And you guys got the show trials and oppressing of your opponents started. We may get to finish it.

        • “Show trials”?

          No, these oral arguments are deadly serious and reveal the truth of the conservative position.
          If Donald Trump was innocent, he would proclaim his innocence and push for a speedy trial to clear his name.

          But that’s not his tactic, he is claiming immunity from prosecution, that’s how we know he’s guilty.

          Trump lawyer D. John Sauer has claimed that the ‘official acts’ of a president, immune from criminal prosecution should include:
          stealing the Nation’s secrets to sell them for personal gain to foreign entities,
          declaring an election null-and-void if the results indicate the opposition won,
          ordering the assassination of political rivals without evidence or trial,
          accepting bribes from foreign dignitaries and industry moguls.

          Y’all aren’t the patriots you claim to be, you are just subjects of The Donald who will not hesitate to take any right he wishes:

          “Or, Mike, take the firearms first and then go to court, because that’s another system. Because a lot of times, by the time you go to court, it takes so long to go to court, to get the due process procedures. I like taking the guns early. Like in this crazy man’s case that just took place in Florida, he had a lot of firearms – they saw everything – to go to court would have taken a long time, so you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.”
          DJT 2018

      • Fascist? Nope, I have always stated clearly that I am a liberal social Democrat, a progressive.

        Honestly, from the number of comments you make about Fascism and Nuremberg trials, I don’t think I need to point out your affinity for the concepts.

        • A progressive? So, a fascist. You quote Trump a lot. Does that make you a fanboi?

          You champion sangers plan to end the ‘black problem’. You’re defending hamas who raped and murdered women amongst others. You believe the .gov has the right to require training and permits to exercise a right.

          Compared to you stalin was a liberal.

        • Your vague claims are devoid of validity.

          Yes, I believe that a woman has ultimate control of her body when it comes to reproductive health.
          Strangely enough, my opinion on the appropriateness of pregnancy termination follow the king James version of the holy Bible, which recognizes the mother has ultimate authority over her pregnancy until actual delivery.

          Hamas is a band of vicious murderers who deserve to stand before the bar of justice, no question about that.

          But just because Hamas kills some babies, does not mean Israel is authorized to kill babies as well.

          If Hamas is committing crimes against humanity when they kill babies, then Israel is committing crimes against humanity when they kill babies.

          The constitution gives Congress the responsibility of providing for discipline of the militia, as well as maintaining a well-regulated militia.

          Well-regulated means Congress will pass regulations, what we now call Bills, regarding the regulation of the militia and the president signs those bills into law.

        • I’ll bet hitler and stalin and mao thought their detractors comments were void of validity, also.

          Collateral deaths in war are tragic. Hamas should not have been using civilians and hospitals as shields. But the Israelis had to prosecute the war against the terrorists.

          The BOR is not a right of the collective. It is an individuals rights. 2a included.

          You give too much power, power that you know does not legally exist, to the state.

          The very definition of a fascist.

        • So it’s just more vague insults, mumbling “fascist!”…

          But no meaningful response to my indictment of both sides of the conflict:

          “But just because Hamas kills some babies, does not mean Israel is authorized to kill babies as well.

          If Hamas is committing crimes against humanity when they kill babies, then Israel is committing crimes against humanity when they kill babies.”

          So you are OK with Israel bombing babies?

        • Word play is all you have, herr goebbels/miner.

          Hamas targeted babies. Deliberate acts of murder and savagery.

          Israel is defending itself and targeting hamas. It is tragic that civilians are dying as well.

          If you were honest and not wrapped up in hating jews you would see the distinction.

          At this point vague insults are what you have earned.

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