The Justice Department announced on X Friday that it cannot enforce the federal ban on licensed dealers selling handguns to 18- to 20-year-olds because the restriction violates the Constitution.

That position follows a determination by the Office of Legal Counsel. Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser observed that Americans this age already vote, serve on juries, face the draft, and incur adult criminal penalties up to capital punishment.

The office therefore holds that the department may not pursue criminal charges against dealers for selling handguns to these adults, and that related statutes barring sales of handguns or ammunition to those under 21 cannot support such penalties.