On October 15, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court directed the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revisit its January ruling that deemed Pennsylvania's restrictions on 18- to 20-year-olds carrying firearms in public during a state of emergency unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court's order vacates the lower court's decision and instructs a new review in light of a significant ruling from June, which clarified standards for the constitutionality of firearms regulations.
This case originated from a lawsuit filed by the Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition, alongside several young Pennsylvanians, challenging the state laws established in 2020. Currently, Pennsylvania law mandates that individuals must be at least 21 to apply for a concealed carry license, aligning with federal regulations and those of 31 other states.
In situations where a state of emergency is declared, Pennsylvania prohibits individuals from carrying firearms in public unless they possess a license or meet specific exceptions. The 3rd Circuit's earlier ruling found these restrictions violated the Second Amendment rights of young individuals.
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs expressed confidence that the Supreme Court's recent ruling on gun rights will not alter the outcome of their case. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle A. Henry's office has not commented on the Supreme Court's directive.
This ongoing legal battle highlights the evolving landscape of gun rights and regulations in the United States, particularly following the Supreme Court's clarification in recent rulings.