On April 21, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Minnesota's appeal to reinstate its law prohibiting individuals under 21 from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public. This decision leaves in place a 2024 ruling by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which found the age-based restriction unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.
The case, Worth v. Jacobson, was initiated by gun rights organizations, including the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and the Second Amendment Foundation, along with individuals aged 18 to 20. They argued that the state's age restriction infringed upon their constitutional right to bear arms. The 8th Circuit Court agreed, stating that the Second Amendment's text does not specify an age limit and that Minnesota failed to demonstrate that individuals aged 18 to 20 pose a public safety threat.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison had defended the law, emphasizing its role in curbing gun violence among youth—a leading cause of death in that demographic. He argued that the restriction was a modest measure aimed at enhancing public safety. However, the courts determined that the state did not provide sufficient historical precedent to justify the age-based limitation, as required by the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.
This Supreme Court decision reflects a broader trend of legal challenges to gun control laws across the United States, particularly in the wake of recent rulings that have expanded Second Amendment protections. While the Court has occasionally upheld certain restrictions, such as those related to domestic violence, it has shown reluctance to support age-based limitations without clear historical justification.
As a result of this decision, Minnesota can no longer enforce its law barring individuals under 21 from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public. This outcome may influence similar age-based firearm restrictions in other states, prompting further legal scrutiny and potential challenges.
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case underscores the ongoing national debate over the balance between gun rights and public safety, particularly concerning young adults' access to firearms.
