Should Virginia Teens be Allowed to Buy Handguns? New Lawsuit Hopes to Make that Happen

CHARLOTTESVILLE-Two Virginia residents are suing the U.S. government claiming that a federal law restricting sales of handguns to citizens younger than 21 is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit is filed in federal court in Charlottesville on behalf of a 20-year-old male University of Virginia student and an 18-year-old woman.

The suit names U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the ATF’s acting director, Thomas Brandon, as defendants. They were named because their organizations regulate sales and purchases of firearms and the licensing of federally authorized dealers. 

The federal officials have not yet responded to the suit. Defendants usually have between 30 and 60 days to respond to a complaint.

According to the suit, Tanner Hirschfeld and Natalia Marshall were turned away by local firearms dealers when they applied to purchase handguns.