In a landmark decision, the U.S. Appeals Court for the 8th Circuit has upheld a previous ruling that declared a Minnesota law, which restricted public handgun permits for individuals under 21, unconstitutional. The three-judge panel ruled unanimously, 3-0, in favor of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and other pro-gun advocacy groups. This ruling found that the Minnesota Citizens’ Personal Protection Act of 2003, which barred 18 to 20-year-olds from obtaining handgun permits, violated both the Second and Fourteenth Amendments.
Court’s reasoning on Minnesota law
Judge Duane Benton, writing for the court, stated, “Minnesota has not met its burden to proffer sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption that 18 to 20-year-olds seeking to carry handguns in public for self-defense are protected by the right to keep and bear arms. The Carry Ban violates the Second Amendment as applied to Minnesota through the Fourteenth Amendment, and, thus, is unconstitutional.”
Prior ruling and supreme court precedent
This judgment supports an earlier ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, which was significantly influenced by the 2022 Supreme Court majority opinion in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. The Bruen decision emphasized that individuals have a constitutional right to carry firearms in public for self-defense, thus setting a precedent that impacted the Minnesota case.
Reactions from pro-gun groups
Rob Doar, senior vice president and political director of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, hailed the decision as a victory for Second Amendment rights. In a statement, Doar said, “Politicians should carefully consider the legal ramifications of infringing on Second Amendment rights. The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and its allies will relentlessly pursue legal action against any unconstitutional measures introduced in Minnesota.”
Response from Minnesota attorney general
Conversely, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed strong disappointment with the ruling. “The people of Minnesota want and deserve solutions that reduce shootings and improve public safety, and today’s ruling only makes that more difficult,” Ellison said in a statement to the Star Tribune. Despite the setback, Ellison remains committed to promoting and defending measures aimed at reducing gun violence and improving public safety.
Future implications
The court’s decision may have far-reaching implications, potentially influencing similar laws and legal battles across the country. Should an appeal be pursued, it would need to be taken up by the Supreme Court, setting the stage for further national debate on the intersection of gun rights and public safety.
