California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 19 attorneys general, has filed a brief supporting Minnesota's law that sets the minimum age at 21 for obtaining a permit to carry a handgun in public. The case, Worth v. Jacobson, is under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. A three-judge panel previously affirmed the district court’s decision declaring the law unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. Minnesota now seeks rehearing before either the panel or the full court.
The coalition argues that rehearing is necessary as the panel’s reasoning may undermine state efforts to implement similar age-based firearm restrictions aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing gun violence.
“We stand with Minnesota and other states in their efforts to curb gun violence through these kinds of commonsense firearm regulations aimed at improving public safety,” said Attorney General Bonta. “States must have the ability to protect their citizens and communities from gun violence. The panel’s decision affirming the district court's decision invalidating Minnesota's law is inconsistent with our nation's historical tradition, as well as longstanding state and federal laws imposing age-based restrictions on the purchase, transfer, use, and possession of firearms.”
In their brief, the states argue that Minnesota’s law aligns with both constitutional principles under the Second Amendment and historical traditions of state regulations designed to enhance gun safety and protect communities from gun violence. The coalition contends that the district court’s decision misinterprets U.S. Supreme Court rulings in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and United States v. Rahimi, which uphold states’ authority to regulate firearms consistent with historical understanding.
Specifically, they argue:
- The Second Amendment permits states to enact various measures promoting gun safety and preventing gun violence in line with historical tradition.
- Minnesota’s age-based restrictions are consistent with those implemented by other states within their regulatory authority.
- A majority of states impose age-based restrictions on firearm use, purchase, or possession to enhance public safety and mitigate gun violence.
Attorney General Bonta joins his counterparts from Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington
A copy of the brief can be found here.