The Georgia Supreme Court recently upheld a state law prohibiting most individuals under 21 from carrying handguns in public.
The ruling came in response to a legal challenge by Thomas Stephens, a 20-year-old from Lumpkin County, who argued that the age restriction violated his Constitutional rights. Stephens initiated the lawsuit in 2023 after being denied a weapons carry license at age 18.
The court’s unanimous decision, issued on May 29, 2025, rejected his claim. The justices emphasized that Georgia’s Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms but allows the General Assembly to impose restrictions on the manner of carry.
The case centered on a state law that sets 21 as the minimum age for obtaining a weapons carry license, with limited exceptions. Stephens contended that this restriction infringed on his Second Amendment rights and the equivalent provision in Georgia’s Constitution.
However, the court found that he failed to demonstrate that the law was unconstitutional. The justices pointed to historical precedent, noting that age-based restrictions on firearm carry have long been part of Georgia’s regulatory framework. They argued that such measures align with the state’s interest in public safety while still respecting the right to bear arms.
The ruling highlighted Georgia’s 2022 law, signed by Governor Brian Kemp, which eliminated the need for a permit to carry a handgun for those 21 and older. This permitless carry law expanded gun rights for adults but left the under-21 restriction intact, drawing scrutiny from younger gun owners like Stephens.
The court’s decision clarified that the General Assembly has the authority to balance individual rights with public safety concerns, particularly regarding younger individuals. The justices noted that the law does not prohibit those under 21 from possessing handguns entirely, only from carrying them in most public settings.
For gun rights supporters, the ruling may be seen as a setback, as it upholds an age-based limitation on a Constitutional right. Critics of the decision argue that 18-year-olds, who are considered adults in many legal contexts, should have the same carry rights as older citizens.
The decision also reflects broader national discussions about age-based gun laws, especially in light of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings emphasizing historical traditions in evaluating firearm regulations. Georgia’s Supreme Court leaned on this framework, finding the under-21 ban consistent with historical practices.
For gun rights advocates, this ruling may fuel calls for legislative changes to lower the carry age or for further legal challenges to test the boundaries of Second Amendment protections.
Read more at ABCNews.
