Should 18 Year Olds Be Allowed to CCW?

[3KillerBs]

The desire to "party" is overwhelming for a long time into life ...

That's is one of the silliest statements I've ever heard in my life.

Human beings are not animals. We are completely capable of controlling our impulses and choosing our actions.

Believing that young people are incapable of resisting urges to "party" is like the antis believing that gun owners are incapable of resisting the urge to shoot everyone who annoys them, inconveniences them, or gives them a funny look.

 

[cornman]

An 18 year olds brain is NOT an adult brain according to brain researchers. 21 should be the minimum age.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I say sure, provided they have to go through the same CCW test I did... if they can sit 11 hours and pass the shooting course, then fine. Of course, I apply that to anybody who would want to carry. I believe that if one wishes to carry, they should know the laws of their state as well as be able to pass a basic shooting test.

 

[kludge]

I have lived in Indiana since I was almost 3 years old.

I have yet to hear a news story about any young person robbing or killing anyone who had a license to carry.

18 year old or 21 year olds don't all of a sudden become law-abiding citizens when they reach a certain age... they are taught responsibility the whole time they are growing up.

 

[j_charles]

18, for all the reasons already stated.

Can join the military...vote...get married... etc.

People will live up to the expectations placed on them. If they are supposed to be drunken, immature idiots who can't even tie their own shoes, than you can expect that they certainly will be. If you want them to be responsible, them give them a reason to be.

 

[deanf]

Your poll is defective. I voted for all three.

 

[FCFC]

18, for all the reasons already stated.

Can join the military...vote...get married... etc.

I'm wondering:

What percentage of 18-20 year olds join the military?

What are the divorce rates for those married at 18-20?

 

[Solo Flyer]

Your poll is defective. I voted for all three.

Don't blame me.I don't work here,just hang around enjoying the atmosphere.Perhaps Derek can explain this anomaly.

 

[Sistema1927]

I know six-year old children who are mature enough to handle weapons, and I know 50-year old men that I wouldn't trust with a squirt gun.

Chronological age does not automatically convery maturity.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Two points:

First, the 2nd Amendment doesn't say anything about the RKBA shall not be infringed once "the People" reach the age of 21.

Second, it's a fairness issue. If 18 is old enough to carry a rifle in some far-off corner of the world and be killed in the name of defending this country, then 18 is old enough the carry a handgun and defend yourself in NYC, Newark, or Chicago.

 

[Packman]

Absolutely. My life is of no less value than my older brother's.

No double standards.

 

[JackBurtonJr]

An 18 year olds brain is NOT an adult brain according to brain researchers. 21 should be the minimum age.

As per post #83 are you really willing to post in public that Hoosiers are naturally more ethical, moral, mature, smarter, and all around generally better than brain researchers can study?

 

[Aguila Blanca]

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.

Where in the Constitution is there any mention of a requisite level of maturity before one of "the People" is allowed to enjoy the rights guaranteed by said Constitution?

It strikes me that immature people (or all ages) do a lot more harm with computers than they do with firearms. Following the logic of your post, then, I suppose you would agree that the problem lies not with determining who should be permitted to own/possess/use a personal computer that's connected to the Internet or to a printer but, with finding a reliable means of measuring that requisite maturity. I know that I am mature enough and educated enough to be allowed the use of an Interenet connection, but I don't know anything about your qualifications so I don't feel comfortable allowing you to touch a computer until you pass a test and get a license from your state. And you shouldn't be allowed to post anything that can reach MY computer unless you also have a non-resident computing license from my state, as well.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

If we EXPECT 18 year olds to be mature and intelligent enough to carry a handgun in public, then they will rise to the occasion. The reason 18-20 year olds binge drink and do stupid things is because the law still treats them like children. If we want 18 to be the "adult' age, then at 18, one should have ALL adult rights, alcohol, firearms, tobacco, etc.

PS I just turned 21 a few months ago

 

[j_charles]

I think we too often lower the standard to the lowest common denominator, rather than raising the standard of expected behavior and expecting people to live up to it. :banghead: Some 18 year olds are too immature to drive, does that mean that the age for a license should be 21... there would definitly be less accidents that way. The 2A is a right, driving is a priviledge.

Getting married at 18 may be a bad idea in most cases, but they do have that right.

What % of 18 to 20 year olds become engineers? It doesn't matter the %, it matters that they can.

At 18 you're an adult if you're a criminal, but you're a child if you're not?

Labeling someone legally an adult, but continuing to expect them to act like a child only ecnourages them to continue doing so.

I'm not saying that we should start passing out handguns at high school graduation ceremonies... they should be subject to the same regulations as everyone else... take the class, pay your dues, get the permit. We've just lowered the bar too much.

(I'm 22, married at 21, wife was 20, will have my CHL soon)

 

[starboard]

The bangers already carry from whatever tender age onward. Can we do worse by allowing non-bangers some means of protection?

I feel ethically obligated to say 18 is ok if the young person has no juvenile record and completes a decently rigorous class that at the end tests both gun handling and knowledge of the relevant laws and regulations. The problem group (i.e. future felons in the making) tends to make contact with the law enforcement system before 18, so selecting on that criteria should be effective.

However, I would prefer if the age really were 21+, as those three years tend to yield an appreciable improvement in maturity. I would support all such age-related limits being nullified for whoever joins the military while under 21.

 

[SLR]

I do not believe that an 18 year old should be able to ccw. They just plain out not mature enough. They can be hot-headed and do things without thinking (I know adults do this, but the brain of an 18 year old is just not fully developed). As much as I would like to ccw, I am under the age. I feel that my peers and I should wait until 21.

 

[theken206]

like I said, this thread is showing me alot about my fellow thr's and im not all that impressed with some of you

 

[Gunnerpalace]

An 18 year olds brain is NOT an adult brain according to brain researchers. 21 should be the minimum age.

And my argument of people over 60 should be true, If you are over 60 turn em' in.

They just plain out not mature enough

So are people over 18 and there are A TON of them,

They can be hot-headed and do things without thinking (I know adults do this, but the brain of an 18 year old is just not fully developed)

That's a contradiction,

I feel that my peers and I should wait until 21.

I vehemently disagree with you and want full use of my rights.

 

[22-rimfire]

Relax. I don't know what the big hurry is to grow up. 21 is not that old. Many people today want everything NOW. Works if you can afford it. I don't know many 18 year olds that can afford much of anything unless Mommy or Daddy pays for it. And yet, they want to be treated like an adult in all ways except when it comes to responsibility. Most can't even afford their auto insurance let alone guns.

 

[JackBurtonJr]

I do not believe that an 18 year old should be able to ccw. They just plain out not mature enough. They can be hot-headed and do things without thinking (I know adults do this, but the brain of an 18 year old is just not fully developed). As much as I would like to ccw, I am under the age. I feel that my peers and I should wait until 21.

As per post #83 are you really willing to post in public that Hoosiers are naturally more ethical, moral, mature, smarter, and all around generally better than you and "your peers" are?

 

[theken206]

"I don't know many 18 year olds that can afford much of anything unless Mommy or Daddy pays for it. And yet, they want to be treated like an adult in all ways except when it comes to responsibility."

you dont get around much do you or only hang around privleged types I take it?? not meaning to be rude just my guess.

 

[22-rimfire]

Privleged types? Who are they?

 

[theken206]

IE rich kids or people who have had stuff handed to them there whole lives.

 

[22-rimfire]

Like I said, Mommy or Daddy are giving them the money. That does not exactly inspire responsibility or maturity.

And yes I know people like that. (I get around a little every now and then. I need to head to town every month or so for rice, sugar and flour. Oh, and lets not forget ammo for killin them squirrels.) I have met very few that I liked. Most don't appreciate what opportunities that they have.

Honestly, I don't care if 18 year olds can get a CCW permit. If yes, fine; if no, that is fine too.