In a court ruling today, a federal judge in Texas signed an order that effectively blocks a law that was enacted after the Uvalde massacre. The law made it a crime for young adults between 18 and 20 years old from carrying handguns for self-defense outside of their homes.
In his order, United States District Judge, Mark Pittman ruled that it prohibiting young adults that are between the ages of 18 and 20 years old goes against the Second Amendment.
Mayor Sylvester Turner released the following statement Thursday night:
“The State of Texas has not changed a single law since Uvalde. Now, just as young students are returning to school, high school seniors who are just turning 18 can openly carry a handgun? Making gun access – with no background checks or training – is making it harder to keep our city safe. Unlicensed carry was a mistake, and now 18-year-olds openly carrying handguns . . . our children deserve better.”
Echoing his statement, the Chair of the Mayor’s Commission Against Gun Violence, Hayley Carter also stated:
“After Uvalde, anyone thinking that 18-year-olds need more access to guns is ignoring the danger that easy access to weapons is having on Texans. In the military, before you can carry a weapon, you are trained and drilled to be proficient, as I was in the Marines. Allowing 18 year-olds to carry handguns, openly, with no training, is dangerous public policy and an affront to common sense gun owners.”
The ruling, prevents enforcement of the law of any kind, including by police officers.
The full, 23-page ruling can be read here.
The case is Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. v. Steven C. McCraw No. 4:21-cv-01245-P and is filed in the United States District Court, Fort Worth Division.
