The March 11 Recorder article, “Firearm age limits see pushback,” stated that a lawsuit has been filed by the NRA and “a coalition of industry groups” against the new state gun law preventing 18- to 21-year-olds from carrying certain firearms.

What exactly is a “coalition of industry groups,” you might ask. It sounds to me like those who will profit from gun sales. Opponents of the gun law restricting 18- to 21-year-olds state that this provision unfairly discriminates against this age group.

The Recorder article does not state that federal law already restricts people under the age of 21 from purchasing handguns (though some states permit buying long guns for those as young as 18). “Dealers may not sell or deliver a handgun or ammunition for a handgun to any person the dealer has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21 [18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1).”

What are the arguments against allowing people under the age of 21 from purchasing, owning and carrying certain firearms? “Ask Politifact — What does the data show on deadly shootings by 18- to 21-year-olds?” is an article by Samantha Putterman of the The Poynter Institute, Feb. 6, 2024. She writes that a gun control advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, compiled data showing that “18- to 20-year-olds commit gun homicides at triple the rate of adults 21 and older.”

The article goes on to cite statistics on U.S. homicides from James Alan Fox, a Northeastern criminology professor who has kept a database of records going back to 1976. He’s found that the rate of gun homicides starts to increase around age 14, and peaks around age 20. “People that age can be impulsive, impatient and imprudent, and will often make actions without fully thinking about the consequences for themselves, much less their victims,” Fox said.

You can learn more on his website: https://cssh.northeastern.edu/sccj/mass-killing-database/.

I support gun law restrictions for this age group. Those who oppose age restrictions say that there is a need for training for hunting and sport programs for youths. I believe that the law does not restrict training under supervision. Can’t training take place without allowing purchase and ownership of firearms by those underage?

A coalition of youth firearm supporters hopes to overturn the state law with a question on the 2026 ballot. I urge voters to oppose any measure that overturns age restrictions for gun ownership and to consider the safety and well-being of our residents. Please remember the victims whose lives were cut short with gun violence by 18- to 21-year-olds throughout our country in years past and support gun control restrictions for those under age 21.

Maura Morrison lives in Greenfield.