HB 2470 lowers the minimum age for handgun carry and license eligibility in Texas from 21 to 18, in alignment with recent federal court rulings and constitutional principles. This bill ensures that responsible 18- to 20-year-olds—who can vote, serve in the military, and be tried as adults—are not denied the fundamental right to self-defense simply because of their age.

The Second Amendment Applies at 18
The Libertarian Party of Texas (LPTexas) affirms the inalienable right of individuals to keep and bear arms, regardless of age, as long as they are not otherwise legally prohibited (Platform § I.1.b). Arbitrary age restrictions on carrying firearms violate both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions, and HB 2470 corrects this injustice by recognizing the rights of young adults to defend themselves, their families, and their property.

No More Second-Class Citizens
LPTexas opposes any government-imposed classification that denies equal rights based on personal characteristics like age (Platform § I.1.c). A person legally recognized as an adult should not be barred from exercising their right to bear arms. HB 2470 respects the principle of individual equality under the law and rejects paternalistic government overreach.

Ending Preemptive Criminalization of Peaceful People
LPTexas believes that the state must not preemptively criminalize nonviolent individuals for exercising liberty. HB 2470 removes outdated laws that automatically criminalize 18- to 20-year-olds for carrying a handgun, even when doing so peacefully and lawfully (Platform § I.6.d). We support replacing such statutes with laws that target only actual harm or aggression.

Conclusion
The Libertarian Party of Texas supports HB 2470 as a crucial expansion of constitutional rights to all legal adults. This bill is a meaningful step toward restoring equal protection and rejecting age-based disarmament. We urge lawmakers to pass HB 2470 and affirm that liberty and self-defense belong to every adult Texan, not just those over 21.