Should 18 Year Olds Be Allowed to CCW?

[Solo Flyer]

In another thread this was discussed and I researched this information:
13 states allow 18 year olds to CCW.
7 are shall issue,IN,ME,MT,NH,ND,SD and WY.
5 are may issue,AL,CA,DE,IA and MD.
1 requires no permit,VT and eligible 16 year olds can carry.
These amount to over one quarter of the states, including many with very low crime rates.
Of the may issue states only MD is a non-starter.Many counties in AL,CA,DE and IA readily issue permits ,particularly AL which is virtually shall issue.
So ,this leaves a pool of millions of 18-21 year old's who are going to be able to get a CCW assuming no felony or mental issues.Hundreds of thousands are legally carrying now.When was the last time we have heard about this group being involved in a questionable shooting?Vermont's age is 16.
It's certainly something to consider for the remaining 37 states.
I am obviously in the pro 18 carrying camp ,but would like to see a pro/con discussion.

 

[romeo212000]

I am torn. Honestly, I am 21 and most of the 18 year olds I know and knew when I was 18 were definately not mature to carry a gun. However, I feel as though I was. Honestly most 18 year olds would not look to CCW anyways. If you did there would definately have to be a course to attend such as there are in most states.

On the flip side of that. The numbers don't lie.

 

[JesseL]

In my world 5 year olds would be allowed to CCW with their parent's permission.

18 year olds should be able to do the same things any other adult can. Delaying the establishment of rights only leads to delaying the onset of maturity.

 

[VPLthrneck]

At 18 a person is considered an adult, i.e. can vote, join the military w/o parents consent, get married, and in most states get a drivers license w/o a driver's ed course. So why should getting a CCW or even purchasing a handgun any different.

 

[CountGlockula]

Nope, maturity factor.

Also, same song and dance regarding military already handling an M16...but as a civilian, age needs more time.

 

[jetman]

In theory it sounds like 18 year olds ought to be able to carry BUT I have an 18 year old son that isn't NEARLY mature enough to be trusted carrying a firearm. He can't mangage to keep track of his cell phone, AND keep the battery charged most days.... I can just imagine him leaving his gun behind SOMEWHERE, and forgetting it.... or carrying the gun and forgetting to load the mag.... or forgetting he has it on him and taking it in some place he's not supposed to.... he's a smart kid but still doesn't have the common sense to fill a thimble.

 

[doc2rn]

^+1 to romeo

I have seen everything from puking to peeing themselves the first time in battle, it happens. I think if you serve honorably to discharge absolutely. If you are referring to alot of county ressidents, they do this anyway (like i did when I was 11).
The problem is when you extend this into a city. Should someone who never knows the 4 rules be allowed, even though well intentioned? You cant be selective so what is the appropriate age? As I grow older I get smarter and it definately reflects when I CCW. Plus your world will change if you have kids. Then you have to think of securing your weapon, a little one will come in while you are sleeping and you dont want them grabbing something off your nightstand! Finger code vaults are a guys best friend.
Too many factors and not enough info.

 

[JesseL]

If you raised the age of majority to 35 and treated people like idiot children up until that point, I'm pretty sure you'd see 35-38 year olds binge drinking, driving recklessly, and all the other stupid things young adults seem to do.

People won't grow up and behave themselves until they're expected to.

 

[osamaslice]

As an 18 year old, and a Marylander, I would appreciate being able to exercise my rights here. But I do see the validity of waiting, as I will be forced to do, since I won't be moving until I am of age anyway.

 

[Treo]

The whole maturity thing amongst 18 year olds is more cultural than factual 100 years ago 18 years old was grown, you were a man you didn’t live at home until you got out of college, John Wesley Hardin (wonderful example that) got his start at the age of 16, as did William Bonney (I’m just shooting myself all up in the foot aren’t I?) How about Bill Cody? Audie Murphy wasn’t much older than 18. I think that if an 18 year old is serious enough to go through the motions I went through he should be allowed to carry

 

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

If you are 18 you can:
* Drive
* Vote
* Enter into legal contracts
* Be charged and convicted as an adult
* Join military (and fire much deadlier weapons that pistol)

I think 18 year olds should be able to purchase handguns and open/conceal carry (based on states existing laws).

I also think 18 year olds should be able to drink (i80%+ are doing it already).

 

[elrod]

Old enough to fight for their country, old enough to carry.

 

[El Tejon]

As someone who legally carried a pistol at 13 and then off family property at 18 I ask, do we have any evidence that under 21 year olds causing more problems than those 21 or older?

Is that the objection to those under 21 carrying always based on personal history and those in states that do not permit 18 year olds to carry?

 

[Mister Peace]

No.
Not unless they are Elite Team Fighters.

 

[markk]

Until Solo posted that 13 states allowed CC at 18 in that other thread, I had no idea that there were that many.

It's a tough question and merits some serious thought...I voted undecided...

 

[Gun Slinger]

I know 18 year olds who possess the maturity of a 35 year old and would not have a probelm with them carrying a firearm.

I also know those in their mid-60's that have the maturity of a hormonal 15 year old and shudder at the thought that they can possess, let alone carry, a firearm even though they regularly display a rather limited level of judgement.

The problem lies not with determining who should be permitted to own/possess/carry firearms but, with finding a reliable means of measuring that requisite maturity.

For now, the best that most of us have is an age based limitation that is only a "sometimes, kinda" sort of thing.

Proof again that life is anything but fair, reasonable or perfect.

 

[El Tejon]

No.
Not unless they are Elite Team Fighters.

Because . . .

And, no, because you were not responsible does not count. Where in those states listed do we have a problem?

In Indiana the current LTCH regime has been around since 1935. Since 1935, and before, 18 year old were carrying pistols, legally, around Indiana and if they were on their family farm, as was I, way before 18.

Where is the evidence that 18, 19, 20 year olds are untrustworthy with legally carried handguns?

 

[herohog]

If you can vote, fight and die for your country, darned right ya can!

 

[kingjoey]

The whole maturity thing amongst 18 year olds is more cultural than factual 100 years ago 18 years old was grown

+1

A lot of the maturity problem comes from our culture not putting responsibility on our youth. If a 17 yr old does something they are a 'kid' in all the reports, when they are 18 they are a 'teenager', not a full-share adult. Putting responsibility on today's youth would make CCW a valid option and would cut crime as well. I think 18yr olds should be allowed to CCW, but just not today's 18yr olds (on average). If you need someone to hold your hand you don't need a handgun. Optimally most 14-16yr olds should have a pretty good understanding of responsibility and be able to behave accordingly. That is the military difference, they burn the idea of responsibility into otherwise lax minds.

 

[El Tejon]

I can just imagine him leaving his gun behind SOMEWHERE, and forgetting it.... or carrying the gun and forgetting to load the mag.... or forgetting he has it on him and taking it in some place he's not supposed to.... he's a smart kid but still doesn't have the common sense to fill a thimble.

jetman, we've been around THR, you know we have regular stories of 21+ LEOs leaving pistols in bathrooms or on top of cars. Where are the stories about the 18, 19, 20 year olds in Indiana leaving their pistols somewhere?

A "kid" is a reflection of his parents. If he is smart, then he will not act in an irresponsible manner as you trained him.

 

[Realbigo]

truth is I see alot of 35yo now who don't have a clue anyway. 21 Is an arbitrary decision that by the time someone is 21, they are mature enough to handle the responsibility. That's all. It would be great if we could figure out a way to judge someone's brain adequate to that same responsibility. I carried Concealed on duty at 19, yet the two idiot MP's on my base doing quick draws to see who would be buying the Pizza, during there night shift were both Corporals and both over 21. They were Roommates, and friends and luckily the one shot through the gut and spine lived long enough to verify what had happened and his buddy didn't get charged w/murder.

 

[Frog48]

Nobody is professional enough...

 

[strangelittleman]

Yes. If 18 yr olds are old enough to be voting and/or serving their country and are entrusted with the responsibility of marking ballots or entrusted with the proper employment of their military equipment and the duties of the profession of arms, then they should be able to own/ccw a handgun and legally buy alcohol.
I've never understood why a person 18yrs old but under 21 is a second class citizen when it comes to firearms and alcohol, yet they serve, get wounded and sometimes die for rights & priviliges they themselves cannot partake in legally.

 

[JesseL]

The problem lies not with determining who should be permitted to own/possess/carry firearms but, with finding a reliable means of measuring that requisite maturity.

It would be great if we could figure out a way to judge someone's brain adequate to that same responsibility.

How about if we just don't infringe any adult's rights until they give us a real good reason to?

 

[romeo212000]

personally I think the voting and service age should be 21 if you are going to require people to be 21 to carry. Either that or lower the carry age to 18