Attorneys representing the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners in a federal lawsuit challenging the prohibition of handgun sales to young adults have filed a reply to the federal government’s arguments supporting the ban. The case is known as Reese v. ATF.

Joining SAF are the Louisiana Shooting Association, Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens, Emily Naquin and Caleb Reese, for whom the case is known. The case is now before the Fifth U.S. Court of Appeals.

The document opens with a blockbuster statement: “The Government’s defense of the Handgun Ban is notable for a conspicuous absence: the lack of any Founding era law barring 18-to-20-year-olds from purchasing firearms from any source. To the contrary, shortly after adoption of the Second Amendment Congress affirmatively required 18-to-20-year-olds to acquire firearms. The Government’s modern-day attempt to prohibit 18-to-20-year-olds from purchasing handguns from licensed dealers contradicts the Nation’s history of firearm regulations and therefore must be invalidated.”

“The government really has no credible defense,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Instead, the government argues incredulously that the ban targets conduct not protected by the Second Amendment, because the age group in question—young adults aged 18-20—was historically excluded from that right, which is utter nonsense.”

“There is no historical evidence of any such ban for people in the 18-to-20-year age group,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The government’s contention that young adults are not part of ‘the people’ mentioned in the Bill of Rights is patently absurd. Young adults have historically fought to defend this country, they can vote, run for office, start businesses, enter into contracts, get married, and own property. To suggest otherwise is an effort to rewrite history.”