Attorney General Clark Joins Coalition Supporting California Law that Regulates Purchase of Long Guns by Individuals Under 21

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit urging that court to affirm a lower court's decision upholding California's law regulating the purchase of long guns by individuals under the age of 21.

In the brief, Attorney General Clark and the coalition explain that the Second Amendment gives states the ability to enact sensible regulations designed to promote gun safety and protect against gun violence that are consistent with historical tradition. The coalition explains that states have long exercised their power to protect the health, safety and welfare of their residents by enacting safety measures to minimize gun violence.

The attorneys general explain that California's age-based regulation is consistent with measures taken by other states and upheld by other courts across the country. Although regulations differ based on each state's needs, virtually every state and the District of Columbia have imposed some age-based restrictions on the sale or use of firearms, and at least 18 states and the District of Columbia have enacted a minimum age requirement of 21 for the sale of certain categories of firearms.

Joining Attorney General Clark in filing the amicus brief are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.

A copy of the brief is available on our website.

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171