Federal Court Strikes Down PA’s Firearm Licensing Ban for Young Adults
Posted in 2nd Amendment on July 3, 2025
In a significant ruling for gun owners in Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Pennsylvania’s ban preventing 18-to-20-year-olds from carrying firearms during declared states of emergency. The Court ruled that these restrictions violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
This decision, issued on January 18, 2024, in Lara, et al. v. Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, has important implications for gun rights of young adults, meaning people over the age of 18 but less than 21.
Pennsylvania’s Firearm Laws: What Were the Restrictions?
Under Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act (UFA):
You must be 21 or older to apply for a concealed carry license – See 18 Pa.C.S. 6109.
During a state of emergency, carrying a firearm in public is illegal without a concealed carry license.
Most young adults aged 18 to 20 were effectively prohibited from carrying a firearm in public for lawful purposes such as self-defense.
At the time the lawsuit was filed, Pennsylvania had been under continuous emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic, so people in that age range were prohibited from carrying a firearm.
Third Circuit: Ban Violates the Second Amendment
The plaintiffs—three young adults and two gun rights organizations—argued the ban violated their constitutional right to bear arms.
The Third Circuit agreed, stating:
✅ The Second Amendment protects the rights of law-abiding adults, including those aged 18 to 20.
✅ There is no historical tradition of disarming this age group at the time of the Constitution’s adoption.
✅ The ban lacked sufficient justification based on founding-era firearm laws.
The Court emphasized that, historically, young adults were expected to serve in the militia and possess firearms, making modern-day restrictions on their right to carry unconstitutional.
Author’s Note – It is a bit ironic or hypocritical that our laws required these young adults to enroll to join the militia and were trusted with a firearm to protect their country, but these same young adults are not trusted with a firearm to protect themselves.
What This Means for Young Adults and Gun Owners in Pennsylvania
The Third Circuit ordered Pennsylvania to:
Stop arresting or prosecuting law-abiding 18-to-20-year-olds who openly carry firearms during a declared state of emergency.
The ruling applies to open carry, not concealed carry, which still requires a license for those 21 and older.
All other firearm laws in Pennsylvania remain in effect.
Protect Your Second Amendment Rights in Centre County and State College
The legal landscape surrounding gun rights in Pennsylvania continues to evolve. A recent A PA Court decision recently upheld the constitutionality of various gun laws, and that decision is in direct conflict with this Federal case.