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A federal judge in Virginia has struck down federal laws that block the sell of handguns to buyers under the age of 21, ruling they violate constitutional rights to possess firearms.
The ruling, which the Justice Department is expected to challenge, will not take effect until judge Robert Payne, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, issues his final order in the coming weeks.
The ruling would not affect the 19 states that have their own laws barring handgun sales to anyone younger than 21.
