A federal district judge in the Eastern District of Virginia has declared unconstitutional a federal law prohibiting licensed dealers from selling handguns to people under the age of 21, saying anyone over the age of 18 has that right.

(Associated Press)

(CNA) A U.S. district court judge has declared a federal law prohibiting licensed dealers from selling handguns to those under 21 to be unconstitutional, adding that anyone over 18 has that right.

U.S. District Judge Robert Payne of the Eastern District of Virginia heard a lawsuit brought by four men, all of whom were between the ages of 18 and 21, who wanted to buy handguns, Agence France-Presse reported.

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Current federal law prohibits licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to anyone under the age of 21, but parents can buy handguns for their children, and children can buy them themselves at gun shows or privately.

And while Americans under the age of 21 cannot buy handguns from federally licensed dealers, they can buy rifles or shotguns.

Paine's opinion cited a recent Supreme Court decision expanding gun ownership and the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

Gun violence prevention group Everytown Law condemned Judge Paine's testimony.

"Guns are not only the leading cause of death among children and teens in the United States, studies have shown that 18- to 20-year-olds are 21 more likely to kill with a gun than those aged 18 to 20," said Janet Carter, senior director of issues and advocacy at Everytown Law, in a statement. Three times that of adults above."

"This court decision undoubtedly puts lives at risk and that has to change," Carter said.