Supreme Court Won’t Hear Challenges To Gun Laws

The Supreme Court decided Monday not to hear appeals to three court rulings that affirm federal and state restrictions on gun purchases, representing a loss for gun rights advocates including the National Rifle Association, which was behind two of the challenges.

In the first case, the NRA challenged a Texas law that prevents 18-20 year olds from carrying handguns in public, Reuters reports. The second NRA case was a challenge to several federal laws and regulations that date back to 1968 and make it illegal for firearms dealers to sell guns or ammunition to anyone under 21.

The third case was on whether consumers have the legal right to challenge laws that regulate the sale of firearms, a challenge filed by Washington D.C. residents who wanted to buy guns in Virginia.

By not hearing the challenges, the Supreme Court effectively allows the laws to stand. The court has not ruled on whether there is a right to carry guns in public, a question that was part of the first NRA challenge to the Texas law.

[Reuters]