Mar 29 2008
Bill Would Allow 18 Year Olds to Purchase Handguns
Lawmakers have agreed to lower South Carolina’s minimum age to own and sell handguns from 21 to 18.Governor Mark Sanford has not decided what he’ll do with the bill.The National Rifle Association says South Carolina is one of 18 states that require handgun owners to be 21 or older. There is no minimum age in South Carolina for owning rifles or shotguns.
State Representative Mike Pitts filed the bill.He says 18-year-olds can join the military and defend others’ rights to own guns, so they should be able to own guns themselves.
The Second Amendment is clear, “the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” An 18 year old is an adult according to the law, therefore they have a right to gun ownership for the purpose of defense just as much as any 40 year old does. They are voting, they are fighting our wars, and they are independent.
