Second Amendment Fight Expands: Challenge to Pennsylvania’s Under-21 Carry Ban

Austin Reville
5 hours ago
3 min read

The battle over who is protected by the Second Amendment is once again front and center—this time in Pennsylvania.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), alongside the National Rifle Association and Firearm Owners Against Crime, has filed an amicus brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Kareem Mohammed Williams Jr. The case challenges the state’s ban on lawful firearm carry for adults aged 18 to 20.

At its core, this case asks a simple but critical question: Do 18–20-year-old Americans have the same constitutional rights as every other adult?

What’s Being Challenged

Pennsylvania law currently prohibits otherwise law-abiding adults under the age of 21 from carrying firearms for self-defense. That means:

Legal adults
Eligible to vote
Eligible to serve in the military

…are still denied the ability to exercise their right to carry a firearm for protection. SAF and its partners argue this is a direct violation of the Constitution.

The Constitutional Argument

The amicus brief leans heavily on the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which made clear that modern gun laws must be consistent with the historical tradition of firearm regulation. According to SAF, Pennsylvania’s law fails that test completely.

As SAF’s Director of Legal Research, Kostas Moros, explained, There is no historical tradition of banning 18–20-year-olds from carrying firearms. Furthermore, at the Founding, young adults were not only included in “the People” ,they were often required to keep and bear arms for militia service and self-defense. In other words, the very group being restricted today was historically expected to be armed.

Why This Case Matters

This case doesn’t just impact Pennsylvania—it has nationwide implications. If the court rules in favor of SAF, it could set a precedent reinforcing that constitutional rights apply equally to all adults. It would strengthen ongoing challenges to similar age-based restrictions across the country SAF is already pushing this issue at the highest level, with a related case—Paris v. SAF—currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Bigger Picture

At 2 If By Sea Tactical, we view this as part of a broader trend. Lawmakers are attempting to carve out exceptions to constitutional rights based on age, despite no historical or legal foundation. The government is trying to deny rights to one group of legal adults. They are attempting to do this without historical precedent and based purely on modern political preference. This sets a dangerous standard for restricting rights across the board.

Why It Matters for Minnesota

Here in Minnesota, we are already seeing increasing pressure from lawmakers to expand gun control measures. While we did see a court victory in 2025 legalizing public carry for 18-20 year olds in Worth v. Jacobson. We are seeing increased pushes for age-based restrictions nationwide. What happens in Pennsylvania could directly influence future legislation and court challenges. It would shape the broader legal understanding of who the Second Amendment protects.

The Constitution doesn’t say, “The right of the people… once they turn 21.” It says “the right of the people.” We here at 2 If By Sea Tactical, we believe that right applies to all law-abiding adults—period. This case is about more than age brackets. It’s about whether constitutional rights are consistent and enduring… or selectively applied based on political convenience. That makes this a fight worth paying attention to.

Here at 2 If By Sea Tactical we strive to bring you the best experience in the firearms world. As we continue to grow the media arm of 2 If By Sea, make sure you keep tuning in to our Youtube and Rumble channels and right here at “The Patriot’s Almanac” to stay informed on the latest happenings in the firearm world! But we are not lawyers, so this isn't legal guidance. We are proud to be Southern Minnesota source for all things 2A.