Our right to keep and bear arms is clearly stated in our U.S. Constitution. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

It has been defended by both federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Most recently, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Menendez struck down a Minnesota law that prohibits adults age 18 to 20 from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public. Menendez relied on the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the judge concluded that Minnesota’s law was unconstitutional and blocked the state from enforcing it.

Also, in the 2008 case District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for historically lawful purposes, including self-defense in the home.

SB23-169, Increasing Minimum Age to Purchase a Firearm, attempts to raise the age from 18 to 21 years old to purchase a firearm.

This is a clear violation of our Second Amendment right and should be rejected.

Gerry Cuca

Durango