The Justice Department said it won’t enforce the unconstitutional handgun ban for 18 to 20 year olds. New York, however…
It’s been just over a full week since the Justice Department, in conjunction with the Trump Administration, confirmed it would not enforce an unconstitutional handgun ban for 18 to 20 year olds, stating that anyone over the age of 18 is a legal adult and protected by the Second Amendment. But one particular governor isn’t backing down – and Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford is taking notice.
- New York governor Kathy Hochul posted on X that she will continue to enforce an unconstitutional handgun ban for young adults, despite the Justice Department refusing to enforce it.
- Several gun rights groups (including the Gun Owners of America) have made it clear that 18-year olds are legal adults, and should be allowed to exercise their Second Amendment rights.
- It’s unknown if the Justice Department will proceed with any kind of lawsuit, but they have performed similar actions in the past.
LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHEN WILLEFORD’S BAREFOOT DEFENDER WEBSITE HERE.
Hochul took to X to voice her opinion on the matter, stating that New York would continue to keep the handgun ban in effect. “Not in New York,” she said. “No teenager should be able to walk into a gun store and buy a handgun. Our laws don’t allow it and that’s not changing.”
But the posts that have followed make very clear points that 18 to 20 year olds are considered adults and not teenagers. One user noted, “At 18, New Yorkers can vote, enlist, serve on juries and be tried as adults. But Kathy says they’re not old enough to exercise a constitutional right. Apparently, adulthood only counts when Democrats find it convenient.”
While several gun safety advocates backed the governor, various groups, including the Gun Owners of America, spoke against her decision, citing that, indeed, adults are protected by the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
The Justice Department has yet to speak on Hochul’s objection, but there is the possibility of a lawsuit should she continue to keep the ban in place.
Willeford joins us now to talk about the situation, and what we can learn from it. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- First off, do you believe the Justice Department made the right decision by declining to enforce the handgun ban, considering your view that it conflicts with the Constitution?
- Why do you think Hochul is so determined to keep the ban in place?
- What do you make of the debate over whether 18- to 20-year-olds should be considered young adults rather than teenagers when it comes to exercising constitutional rights?
- What kind of effect could this have on Hochul? Could this potentially affect her standing in the upcoming gubernatorial election?
- Could the Justice Department pursue some kind of lawsuit against New York for continuing to enforce the ban?
- Where do you see the national discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 continues?
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, which discusses the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs and your role in helping stop the attacker.
- Tell us more about how the book came together and why you believe it is an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
a. You can purchase the book here on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle formats.
- Where can we learn more about you and Gun Owners of America?
a. You can learn more at thebarefootdefender.com. You can also learn more about Gun Owners of America at gunowners.org.
ORDER STEPHEN WILLEFORD’S BOOK, A TOWN CALLED SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, HERE.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen Willeford represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with a gun” for helping stop the gunman responsible for the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He is available to discuss gun rights issues and the work of Gun Owners of America. He is also the author of A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. Learn more about him at thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.