Connecticut Attorney General William Tong briefly shifted his focus from criticizing President Donald Trump to express his endorsement for a Pennsylvania law that restricts concealed carry for individuals under the age of 21. In a press release issued on Wednesday, Tong voiced his support for this legislation.
Tong teamed up with a group of 19 attorneys general to file an amicus brief. They recommended that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit reevaluate its opinion. The opinion had previously invalidated a Pennsylvania law. This law banned individuals under the age of 21 from carrying concealed weapons in public. Additionally, it imposed stricter regulations during states of emergency.
The coalition is urging the court to reconsider its decision in favor of the plaintiffs in the Lara v. Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police case. This lawsuit involved a Pennsylvania law that imposes limitations on the issuance of concealed carry weapons permits to individuals who are 21 years old or above.
In September 2021, Tong’s office stated that he had also become part of a coalition that defended the Pennsylvania law in the same case.
“Age restrictions on concealed carry permits are lifesaving and commonsense,” Tong said. “That’s why Pennsylvania, Connecticut and dozens of other states have adopted similar statutes. The lower court ruling will make millions of Americans less safe, and it must be overturned.”
The coalition argues in the brief that the court’s decision will raise constitutional concerns regarding age restrictions on gun access in over 30 other states.
The coalition argues that these laws are constitutional as they align with the longstanding historical tradition of states that have implemented similar laws for over 150 years. They believe that the reasoning behind the opinion should be reevaluated.
The attorneys general express concern that if the opinion is adopted in other jurisdictions, it may undermine states’ capacity to protect and enforce various gun regulations.
The coalition includes the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, joining Connecticut.