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Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs
The SAFER Voter Act would change federal law to allow handgun purchases from federal firearms licensees (FFLs) by individuals aged 18 through 20. Specifically, it lowers the minimum age for obtaining a handgun from 21 to 18, aligning handgun purchase age with the age at which many other legal rights and responsibilities begin. The bill does not alter the age for buying shotguns or rifles (which are governed separately) or address private sales, possession rules, or state laws. In short, if enacted, 18–20-year-olds could buy handguns from licensed dealers under current federal background-check requirements.
Key Points
- 1Lowers minimum handgun purchase age from 21 to 18 for sales by FFLs.
- 2Applies to handguns specifically; continued rules for long guns (shotguns and rifles) remain governed by existing provisions.
- 3Amends two sections of 18 U.S.C. § 922 (b)(1) and (c)(1) to reflect the 18-year-old threshold for handguns.
- 4Short title: “SAFER Voter Act,” also referred to as the “Second Amendment For Every Registrable Voter Act.”
- 5Sponsored and introduced in the House (list of original sponsors includes Rep. Massie and several cosponsors).
Impact Areas
Primary group/area affected: 18–20-year-olds who wish to purchase handguns from FFLs; federal handgun purchasing rules; Federal firearms licensees and their compliance processes.Secondary group/area affected: States and localities (insofar as they regulate gun purchases or impose additional age restrictions); background-check systems and law enforcement agencies that administer or review firearm transfers.Additional impacts: Potential shifts in public safety dynamics related to young adults’ access to handguns; no change to private sales, straw purchases, or age restrictions for long guns at federal level; does not modify voting eligibility or registration requirements beyond the intention suggested by the bill’s title.
Generated by gpt-5-nano on Nov 18, 2025