Hyde-Smith, colleagues aim to restore 18-year-olds’ constitutional right to purchase handguns

Miss. Senator is a Primary Cosponsor of the ‘Second Amendment Mandates Equality (SAME) Act of 2021’

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today joined Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) in introducing legislation to reinstate the right of adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer.

The Second Amendment Mandates Equality (SAME) Act of 2021 would repeal a law that currently prevents adults under 21 from buying a handgun.  Under current federal law, 18-year-old may only purchase shotguns and rifles.

“The right to keep and bear all firearms is a fundamental right that should not be restricted by the federal government.  This legislation would repeal the arbitrary restriction for citizens between 18 and 20 years old from purchasing a handgun,” Hyde-Smith said.  “I am pleased to join my colleagues in this effort to protect our constitutional Second Amendment rights.”

“The Second Amendment is a constitutional right, and does not treat 18-year-olds as second-class adults,” Lummis said.  “In keeping with the Supreme Court’s Heller decision, the SAME Act would overturn our current restrictive anti-handgun statute and ensure equal treatment under law for adults under 21.  Ultimately, if we trust 18-year-olds enough to defend our country and to choose our elected officials, we should trust them enough to purchase a handgun.”

Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) also cosponsored the SAME Act, and Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights also endorsed the SAME Act.

A copy of the legislation is available here.

Press Release

4/27/2021