Gun rights groups file lawsuit challenging new gun law prohibiting under 21 purchases

DOVER, Del. – Gun rights groups and sports clubs in Delaware have filed a lawsuit against the Carney Administration, arguing a new law prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing certain firearms violates the constitution.

The lawsuit is challenging a new law that restricts anyone under the age of 21 from purchasing most types of firearms, except shot guns. This led the Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association (DSSA) to file a lawsuit in Chancery Court arguing that it’s unconstitutional.

“It just doesn’t make any sense,” explained Jeff Hague, President of the DSSA. “They’re trying to solve a problem through emotion rather than going to the core, or the root of the problem, which is drugs, gangs, the educational problems, family problems, that’s how you solve the gun violence, violence committed by firearms problems, in the State of Delaware and other places.”

Hague says there are holes in the new law that don’t make sense, including a measure that would permit those under the age of 21 to keep their firearms if they already legally own them.

“What makes it peculiar is that they have an exemption, if you already were 18, then it’s ok, but anybody turning 18 is suddenly a felon for doing the same thing, one day to the next,” Hague told our Rob Petree. “That just doesn’t make any sense.”

Those opposed to the new law feel that there’s no need for it in Delaware, according to Hague.

“The objects don’t cause crime, it’s the person that does it, they can use anything, including golf clubs, hammers, as we seen the case out in California,” Hague explained. “Long-guns are not a problem. You’re essentially banning long-guns from a class of people that it’s not the problem.”

Not everyone feels that way, groups like Moms Demand Action believe that the law is justified when you look at school shootings across the country and the suspects who commit the heinous crimes.

“Parkland I know is big in the news right now because of the sentencing that’s going on, and that was a younger male, and that just is right now sort of the demographic that we see committing, especially in schools, these sort of shootings,” explained Megan O’Donnell with Moms Demand Action. “The thought behind it is meant to keep our children safer, keep everyone safer, our teachers safer, and I think ultimately that’s everyone’s goal I would hope.”

The challenge to this law comes on the heels of similar lawsuits. Legislation recently signed into law by Governor Carney that bans assault-style weapons is also being challenged legally with a case pending in the U.S. District Court in Delaware.

Groups such as DSSA, who have long opposed gun reform legislation, continue to argue that the gun violence issue plaguing the nation will not be solved through laws that prohibit the ownership of firearms.

“If you wanna solve the violent crime problem, there’s ways of doing it without interfering with the rights of law abiding citizens who enjoy their constitutional rights,” Hague stated. “Firearms are not the only weapons means that violent crimes are committed with, you can have cars, you can have golf clubs, hammers, fists, knives, all sorts of things, you have to look at the person wielding the weapon, it’s not the object.”

The latest case will be considered in Delaware’s Court of Chancery. An official court date has not yet been announced.