CHALLENGING AGE DISCRIMINATION

A federal lawsuit filed against the State of Illinois resembles a gun rights case on the surface, but underneath lurks a cause that could flame the hypocrisy of the political left.

Last month, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Illinois State Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens aged 18–21 slapped Illinois State Attorney General Kwame Raoul with the lawsuit. Other defendants include Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly, State’s Attorney of Fayette County Joshua C. Morrison, State’s Attorney of St. Clair County James Gomric, State’s Attorney for Kendall County Eric Weis, Fayette County Sheriff Christopher Palmer, St. Clair County Sheriff Richard Watson and Kendall County Sheriff Dwight A. Baird, in their official and individual capacities.

Their complaint is simple. They assert the state law prohibiting concealed carry by young adults violates the Second and 14th Amendments (right to bear arms, and equal protection).

Years ago, Congress passed legislation declaring 18 to be the age of majority. In other words, at 18, you’re an adult. You can enter into contracts, join the military, get married, start a business, and most important of all, vote in national elections. Even so, in Illinois and nearly every other state, you can’t carry a defensive sidearm for personal protection at 18.

This doesn’t square with the plaintiffs because state law allows other adults — those over age 21 — to apply for a carry permit.
Immediately, someone is going to note young adults can’t legally drink liquor at 18. This is a false flag because there is nothing in the Bill of Rights about downing a slug of whiskey or consuming a six-pack of lager, but there is definitely something about the right to keep and bear arms.

The complaint states succinctly, “Young adults between 18 and 21 were fully protected by the Second Amendment at the time of its ratification. Hundreds of statutes from the colonial and founding eras required 18- to 20-year-olds to keep and bear arms.” These young adults were considered members of the militia. They have fought in literally every war this nation has waged, from the Revolution through the Civil War, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and anywhere else shots were fired in anger.

“Citizens in this age group enjoy nearly all of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution except when it comes to the Second Amendment,” said SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb. “This cannot be allowed to stand.”

https://www.saf.org/saf-files-federal-challenge-to-ill-carry-ban-for-young-adults/

SAF is Busy

This column often refers to SAF cases, perhaps because over the past two years the National Rifle Association became a target of New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

She is suing NRA, which is incorporated in New York State, in an effort to literally dissolve the organization. Gun rights activists have shifted considerable support from the NRA, which is lately consumed in alleged scandals over misuse of member funds, to other rights groups like SAF. The number of members and financial supporters has increased by thousands over the past several months.

In the years since winning the McDonald v. City of Chicago Supreme Court case, SAF has been busy filing federal lawsuits made possible by that victory. McDonald incorporated the Second Amendment to the states via the 14th Amendment, and that opened the floodgates for scores of challenges to local gun control laws on federal constitutional grounds.

Currently, SAF is involved in some 35 lawsuits all over the map. Some of those legal actions have SAF partnering with NRA.

Illinois Question

The Illinois lawsuit raises some interesting issues. Democrats want young adults to vote because they tend to vote for Democrats, but they don’t want people in that age group owning or carrying defensive sidearms.

No matter that a 19-year-old Marine or Army infantry trooper is issued a battle rifle for military action anywhere around the globe. They just can’t have a pistol at home. Anybody besides SAF and its allies see something wrong with that?

If an 18-year-old can start a business, why can’t he or she be able to defend that business from robbers, looters or violent protesters? It’s a question now being asked of the federal district court in Illinois.

https://www.saf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/1-Complaint.pdf

Gun Control Glossary

Just in case some readers don’t understand the gun prohibition vernacular, I began assembling a glossary of terms with translations.

Mandatory Gun Buyback — This term actually means “compensated confiscation.” You’re not being asked politely to consider turning in your firearms. You’re being told to, with money in the pot that won’t come close to equal value. Decline and you might face prosecution.

Gun Safety Group — This refers to a gun prohibition lobbying organization. There are real gun safety groups, such as the NRA, U.S. Concealed Carry Association, and every local gun club on the map, but they’re routinely dismissed as the “gun lobby.”

Gun Reform — Another bit of camo speak referring to restrictive gun control, or outright prohibition, the ultimate goal of “gun safety” groups.

Gun Responsibility — Lock them up. Submit to licensing, registration, waiting periods, permits to purchase, invasive background checks and even psychological evaluation.

Semiautomatic Assault Rifle — This firearm doesn’t really exist, but it sounds menacing so anti-gun-rights extremists and too many in the media apply the description to any self-loading rifle on the planet, including .22-caliber rimfires.

If readers would like to add more send a note to American Handgunner.

New From Safariland

Safariland recently announced holsters for the new micro-compact Taurus GX4 pistol.
 
According to a company news release, Bianchi “offers multiple right and left-handed holsters” for IWB concealed carry. The Model 6 and tuckable 6T provide classic IWB concealment. For more retention, the Bianchi Model 6 ATB combines IWB with a thumb-break strap.

Bianchi also offers an ankle rig called the Model 150 Negotiator, and there are four models for belt carry.
 
Safariland also offers several IWB models including the Model 17 and tuckable 17T. The Model 27 features a SafariLaminate™ body with adjustable tension.

Safariland’s Model 25 is for pocket carry.

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