Should 18 Year Olds Be Allowed to CCW?

[shadowalker]

Idaho is also may issue, discretion of the sheriff. When my step son turns 18 in 4 years if he wants a carry permit I'll go with him to talk to the sheriff.

Maturity comes with experience not age, age can be allow someone to obtain more experience but there are plenty of 40 year olds less mature than 18 year olds.

I think the larger issue is our country needs to decide whether 18 year olds are adults or kids, if they are adults they should be endowed with all the privileges of being an adult and also held to the same standard of conduct.

My opinion is that 18 year olds are the same as everyone else, those that shouldn't have guns are going to have them anyway, the only thing we are doing is making it harder for the good people to defend themselves.

That said there is some evidence to support an age of 21 because some recent studies have shown the decision making portion of the brain is not fully mature until about 21. Prior to 21 it uses a less accurate method of determining risk vs reward. Essentially there isn't enough life experience to use the more accurate algorithm.

 

[Eric F]

As a whole, I feel like todays 18 year olds act too much like 13 year olds. I say no. Its too bad because there are likely some mature enough to have the responsibility.

 

[22-rimfire]

If 18 yr olds are legal to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer, by all means they should be legal to get a CCW permit. If they are legal, they should be held to the adult standard.

 

[Juna]

If 18 is old enough to fight and die for one's country, operate military equipment, vote, and be legally considered an adult, then there should be no further restrictions than for any other adult (guns/CCW, alcohol, etc.). The rules need to be uniform. It makes no sense under the current system.

If some want it to be 21, then it should be 21 for military service, voting rights, etc. We need uniform laws. Either you're an adult, or you aren't. You're not an adult for war, but a child for Second Amendment rights, but an adult for voting, but a child for drinking alcohol. It doesn't make sense. Unify it one way or another.

 

[BullpupBen]

I might get some heat (no pun intended), but as an 18 yr old I dont think 18 yr olds should be able to CCW.

Why? Because you are still in high school at that age and I can imagine all kinds of lawsuits and stupid kids doing stupid things.

21 is, however, very arbitrary and I'd be happy if it was 19 or 20 instead. Same goes for buying pistols for that matter.

 

[markk]

If 18 yr olds are legal to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer, by all means they should be legal to get a CCW permit. If they are legal, they should be held to the adult standard.

You are aware, I hope, that 18 yo's cannot buy a handgun from a liscensed dealer, are you not?

 

[vicdotcom]

Medical Reason why not

At 18 years of age, the brain hasnt fully matured yet. The last part of the brain to mature is the frontal lobe that deals with RATIONAL DECISION MAKING. This is one of the reasons why teenagers of this age have much higher incidents of car accidents.

With a CCW comes the ULTIMATE responsibility of rational decision making. An 18 year old doesnt have the ability to do this effectively. Now there ARE mature 18 year olds out there. They do exist. But the fact is medically, at 18 years of age, the majority of teenagers arent fully rational (parents know this well I bet)

BTW the brain fully matures from 21-23 years of age.
Vic

Edit: Heck some of the 23 year olds I dont have fully rational decision making skills yet haha But I guess they needed a generalized age to allow CCW and Drinking.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

As a whole, I feel like todays 18 year olds act too much like 13 year olds. I say no

I think your lumping everybody into the same category.

People until WE ALL can get on the same page with gun laws we are screwed!

 

[22-rimfire]

Markk; Of course I'm aware of the legalities of handgun purchase from a FFL dealer. No I don't favor open carry except in the woods. It's legal in my state with a CCW; but just try it in the city. Hope you have an attorney handy.

 

[wyocarp]

I trust my 16 year old son more than most adults with regards to guns. We shoot nearly every week and I feel he should be able to open carry right now. Basically for purposes of driving out to shoot. In the past, many young teens carried guns. Are there going to be issues, yes, but probably not any more than what we see now with those over 21.

My vote is yes.

 

[theken206]

"If some want it to be 21, then it should be 21 for military service, voting rights, etc. We need uniform laws. Either you're an adult, or you aren't. You're not an adult for war, but a child for Second Amendment rights, but an adult for voting, but a child for drinking alcohol. It doesn't make sense. Unify it one way or another."

agreed, and some of you guys amaze me at how much you sound like "them". That is our friends the antis.

 

[dmxx9900]

The problem I see with keeping the age at 21 is people will not be satisfied with that age soon or later and they will bump it up to 25 and then later 30 you cant keep raising the age of responsibility and being able to protect yourself.

Since 18 is not enough soon you will hear 21 is not enough with the latest medical research and popular vote to raise it up to 25 because of college drinking parties and then higher again a decade later.There has to be a middle ground between Adulthood and childhood and 18 fits the bill no higher and no lower once you reach 18 you are an adult.

I am more rational than 70% of the 18 year olds my age at least in my area because I don't get involved with dummies who do stupid stuff anymore and I research and study new things to gain wisdom and knowledge on every subject I can before making a comment.I try to talk with older people in college or who have been on the earth twice as long as me to learn something from them to keep in mind.

 

[Gunnerpalace]

At 18 years of age, the brain hasnt fully matured yet.

And I believe I read somewhere that the brain degrades at around 60 so they should not be able to CCW either, gotta be fair after all.........

 

[stevereno1]

I was an 18 year old thug-idiot. I was an idiot until I was well past 18.

 

[stevereno1]

If you're 18, and in the military, you should be able to ccw, or open carry, in my humble opinion

 

[mnrivrat]

Sorry if this has been said before , I didn't have time to read through the posts - I did vote in the poll. I said yes !

The reason ,is a little thing they called the draft in my day . You were drafted at 18 and sent to fight . If that doesn't give you all adult privilages in this country ,then there is something wrong. (and there was and still is)

 

[Soybomb]

An 18 year old is required sign up for the draft to defend the countries freedom, I think they should be able to exercise those freedoms too.

 

[franx1911a]

If they can carry in Iraq or Afghanistan, then they should be allowed to carry at home! 'Nuff said!

 

[AmishFury]

old enough to fight and die for this country they should be old enough to carry (and old enough to drink too)

 

[psyopspec]

I got mine at age 19, and I have friends who also got theirs between the ages of 18 and 21. Guess how I voted? I got my original permit in North Dakota; to my knowledge, there's never been an unlawful shooting by a concealed carrier between the ages of 18 and 21.

 

[Black Knight]

I'm somewhat torn. Some 18 year olds are very immature and others just the opposite. If it were for 18 - 21 who are in the military and have military ID I would say these people have earned the right to CCW.

 

[Treo]

A Brief Family History

At 18 years of age, the brain hasnt fully matured yet. The last part of the brain to mature is the frontal lobe

I've heard this as well here's my take on it.

My Father's Life Very Briefly:

Age 5 my grandfather murders my grandmother ( he suspected her of cheating) abandons the kids and runs to Arizona.

5 to 14 very rough childhood

Age 14 Dad runs away to sea never went back home

Age 15 Dad decides to join the U.S. ARMY. (lied about his age)

Age 16 Company motor Sgt. stationed in Japan .

Age 17-18 Does a tour in Korea during the war think about that a 17 Y/O squad leader leading troops in combat.

Age 19 honorable discharge married and starting a family

I don't think the frontal lobe developes in response to age I think it developes in response to the demands made on it.

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

My take - I am 20.

It really depends on the person. I know people my age who would get a resounding NO. I also have friends who know what a great responsibility it is (as do I) and believe they would be very responsible and have good judgment while carrying. Same case with people over 21, some people seem to think that at 21 you just magically mature. I am absolutely certain that is not true, I have had the displeasure to meet 25 year olds (heck, even 50 year olds) who acted like they were 10.

 

[vicdotcom]

Problem with the "old enough to serve" argument

There are a lot of people who are saying that "if they are old enough to sign up and defend our country". One aspect about this though is that when 18 year olds do enroll, they are trained and taught what to do and how they are expected to act. Not just with firearms either but responsibility. self confidence, and respect.

They go in boys/girls and come out men/women.

Just turning 18 doesnt teach responsibility, it doesnt illustrate the knowledge/responsibility that CCW demands.

 

[Feanaro]

18 year olds can wield the power of a vote, operate automobiles that kill 35,000 people a year, and marry 'n bring children into the world. If you think an 18 year old will be irresponsible with a handgun, whew, I hate to see what they'll do with the rest of their rights'n'responsibilities.

There are a lot of people who are saying that "if they are old enough to sign up and defend our country".

They just aren't wording it properly. You can be FORCED to fight for your country and it's still a crime not to register with Selective Services. What does it say about a country that has the power to force 18 year olds into the military but doesn't afford them all their rights?