Judge Supports California Law Limiting Gun Access for 18- to 20-Year-Olds

March 29, 2025 TruthUSA

California’s Attorney General commended the ruling.

A federal judge has affirmed a California statute limiting young adults from purchasing firearms, determining that the law is consistent with the country’s historical precedent regarding gun regulations.

California Penal Code Section 27510 prohibits federal gun dealers from selling or transferring firearms to individuals under 21 years of age. However, the law permits those aged 18 to 20 to purchase specific types of guns if they hold a hunting license, are active military personnel, or have been honorably discharged from the armed forces.

Several young adults and gun rights organizations contested the law, claiming it infringes upon the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The legal battle has been ongoing for several years. U.S. District Judge James Lorenz ruled in 2020 that the law was constitutional, but an appellate court disagreed. The appellate court subsequently sent the case back to Lorenz for further examination, following a directive from the U.S. Supreme Court for lower courts to consider whether gun laws are rooted in the nation’s historical gun regulations when determining their constitutionality.

On March 26, Lorenz supported California Attorney General Rob Bonta, stating that while 18- to 20-year-olds are included in “the people” referenced in the Second Amendment, this demographic has historically faced gun restrictions throughout much of U.S. history.

He noted in his 23-page ruling that the law “aligns with the common law of the Founding Era, which limited commercial firearm sales to individuals aged 18 to 20,” as per Lorenz’s decision.

Additionally, he noted that the statute is constitutional since young adults can still acquire firearms that are not classified as handguns or semiautomatic centerfire rifles if they hold a hunting license or are members of the military. Thousands of young adults have utilized these exemptions in recent years, with 5,431 obtaining guns under these provisions in 2022.

The ruling also acknowledged that young adults can receive firearms as gifts from family members.

“Evidence presented by the defendants indicates that Section 27510 serves as a commercial restriction that does not significantly hinder access to firearms for those aged 18 to 20, thus falling outside the scope of the Second Amendment’s explicit text,” the judge remarked.

The summary judgment effectively concludes the case unless the plaintiffs decide to appeal.

The Second Amendment Foundation, one of the plaintiffs, announced via social media platform X that they are evaluating the ruling.

Bonta, a Democrat, articulated that the ruling signifies a triumph in combating gun violence.

“This sensible regulation will continue to shield our vulnerable youth from preventable gun violence,” he stated. “I take pride in the dedication and effort my team has invested in defending this law, and we recognize that the battle is not finished. We will persist in our initiatives to uphold reasonable gun safety laws and protect our communities from senseless violence.”

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