Senator Lummis’s latest endeavor in the U.S. Senate is the SAME Act, which argues if 18-year-olds can vote and serve in the military, they can buy a handgun.
United States Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has introduced legislation to reinstate the right of adults between the ages of 18 and 20 to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed dealer. The Second Amendment Mandates Equality (SAME) Act of 2021, is co-sponsored by several Republican senators.
- Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
- Steve Daines (R-MT)
- Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
- Mike Braun (R-IN)
- Mike Crapo (R-ID)
- Jim Risch (R-ID),
Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) has sponsored the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
If passed, the SAME ACT would repeal a law that currently prevents adults under 21 from buying a handgun.
Senator Lummis says not allowing new adults to buy handguns is contradictory to other U.S. age customs.
“The Second Amendment is a constitutional right and does not treat 18-year-olds as second-class adults. In keeping with the Supreme Court’s Heller decision, the SAME Act would overturn our current restrictive anti-handgun statute and ensure equal treatment under the law for adults under 21. Ultimately, if we trust 18-year-olds enough to defend our country and to choose our elected officials, we should trust them enough to purchase a handgun.”
The SAME Act is supported by Gun Owners of America and the National Association for Gun Rights. Both organizations have released statements on Senator Lummis and the SAME Act.
Gun Owners of America’s Aidan Johnston said of the bill, “Senator Cynthia Lummis’ Second Amendment Mandates Equality Act (SAME Act) is true ‘common-sense’ gun legislation. The current 18–20-year-old handgun ban is antiquated and keeps honest, young adults disarmed – sending the message that the Second Amendment is a second-class right. GOA commends Senator Lummis for standing for the Second Amendment rights of young adults.”
National Association for Gun Rights’ Hunter King said, “The right to keep and bear arms belongs to all law-abiding adults. Denying 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds the ability to purchase a handgun, solely based on age alone, leave a pivotal age demographic in our country defenseless and vulnerable. Why are military-aged adults banned from purchasing a handgun? Why should a 20-year-old single mother not be able to purchase and carry a concealed handgun for self-defense? The National Association for Gun Rights stands with Senator Lummis and her efforts to dismantle this unconstitutional restriction.”
The bill comes during a time of heightened political attention to guns and gun violence.
President Joe Biden has pledged to take action on gun violence and gun control. Wyoming’s entire congressional delegation has vowed to defend the 2nd Amendment and the rights of gun-owning Americans.
