FPC Sues Louisiana Over 18-20 Age Carry Ban
Firearms Policy Coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging Louisiana's age restriction on concealed carry permits. The suit targets the state's prohibition preventing adults aged 18 to 20 from obtaining carry licenses, arguing the ban conflicts with Second Amendment protections and recent court rulings on constitutional rights for young adults.
Key Details
The Challenge: FPC argues Louisiana's 21-year minimum age requirement for concealed carry permits violates the Second Amendment and recent federal court precedent recognizing gun rights for adults under 21.
The Law: Louisiana currently restricts concealed carry permits to individuals aged 21 and older, effectively disarming 18- to 20-year-olds who want legal carry options.
Legal Timing: The lawsuit comes after multiple federal courts have begun scrutinizing age-based restrictions on firearm rights following the Supreme Court's New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision, which established that gun regulations must align with historical tradition.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
For gun owners in Louisiana, this case directly affects 18- to 20-year-old adults who face a complete carry ban under state law. These young adults can legally own firearms under federal law but cannot obtain permits to carry them, creating a practical rights gap. The lawsuit's success could force Louisiana to modify its permitting system to include younger adults, similar to constitutional carry states like Texas and Florida where 18-year-olds can carry without permits. Conversely, if Louisiana prevails, other states may use the decision to defend similar age restrictions. Gun owners should monitor this case as it tests whether Bruen extends Second Amendment protections to the 18-20 age group—an increasingly important legal question nationwide.
DownRange Analysis
This lawsuit faces an uphill fight under current Bruen application. Courts have shown deference to age restrictions by pointing to historical carry laws that excluded young people, even though those laws predated modern constitutional doctrine. FPC will need to argue that historical tradition doesn't justify categorical bans on an entire age cohort of legal adults. The stronger argument targets Louisiana's permitting regime—not whether age restrictions can exist, but whether they must be absolute. A partial win forcing Louisiana to issue permits to 18-20-year-olds remains possible; a total age restriction ban is less likely. Gun owners should expect this to remain in litigation for years while affecting zero current carry policy.
