Overview
- The Supreme Judicial Court heard oral arguments Monday in Commonwealth v. Mikai Thomson on whether Massachusetts’ bar on handgun licenses for people under 21 violates the Second Amendment.
- Mikai Thomson, 20 at the time of a December 2021 stop on Blue Hill Avenue, was convicted of illegal firearm possession after police said he fled and a 9mm Taurus G3 was recovered.
- The defense contends 18- to 20-year-olds are part of “the People” protected by the Second Amendment under Bruen and argues the state cannot deny carry rights based solely on age.
- Suffolk County prosecutors cite a tradition of age-based gun regulations and research on developing brains, and they argue Thomson lacks standing because he never applied for a license.
- Massachusetts requires a carry license available only at 21 or older, while federal law bars licensed dealers from selling handguns to people under 21; the SJC’s decision is months away and could affect numerous under-21 cases and licensing policy.