Court Rules Minnesota Gun Ban Unconstitutional

The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Minnesota's ban on concealed carry permits for individuals aged 18 to 20 is unconstitutional, citing violations of the Second and Fourteenth Amendments. The court's unanimous decision, led by Judge Duane Benton, argued that the Second Amendment does not include age restrictions and that the state failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the ban. The ruling follows recent Supreme Court decisions emphasizing historical traditions in evaluating gun laws. This decision is seen as a significant victory for gun rights advocates, including the Second Amendment Foundation and the Firearms Policy Coalition, who argue that age-based firearm bans are unconstitutional. The court's decision is expected to allow young adults in Minnesota to apply for concealed carry permits unless appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.