Before you click off thinking that this just another petition that is useless.. you might want to read into why this would benefit every teenager when they become an adult at the age of 18 in the state of Pennsylvania. 

My name is Brady Stallings, I am a Firefighter in Pennsylvania. I have been concerned about the gun laws in the state for a while but wanted to really research and look into the issue to figure out the best solution. 

When I turned 18 a few years back, I thought to myself, "Why am I able to go to the military... and fight for this country, but I'm not allowed to purchase a handgun and conceal carry for self-defense?"

I am starting the Police Academy to be a police officer in Pennsylvania. The way the law is written, and since I am not 21 yet, I would be allowed to carry a handgun on-duty as a Law Enforcement Officer, but I would not be allowed to have my duty weapon off-duty, or any handgun when I am not on a shift. This is another concerning factor for many people as there is absolutely no self-defense factor in place. After some discussion, it was thought out that maybe the law could be adjusted to exempt Law Enforcement Officers between the age of 18 and 20 to be allowed to have their duty weapon, however, that would violate an equal protection clause of the Constitution of the United States. This is where it is best to allow all people 18 and older to purchase and conceal carry a handgun. 

There were other thoughts as well, such as being able to be charged as an adult but still being restricted to buying and concealing a handgun, purchasing or drinking alcohol, and purchasing and smoking tobacco products. However, I am only focused on us teenagers being able to protect ourselves and others by being able to purchase and conceal carry at the age of 18. 

Currently, there are some issues that make this change difficult, such as Pennsylvania State Police and their PICS system. This would need to be adjusted to the Federal background check system used in 30+ other states. There are also other issues that pertain to this which would include a federal law which the ATF states.. "An individual between 18 and 21 years of age may acquire a handgun from an unlicensed individual who resides in the same state, provided the person acquiring the handgun is not otherwise prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under federal law. A federal firearms licensee may not, however, sell or deliver a firearm other than a shotgun or rifle to a person the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is under 21 years of age."

The FOAC President suggested I create a change.org petition to make this process easier as there are more people than just myself that would benefit from this. 

Under no circumstances am I asking for them to eliminate background checks, or reduce the security in place that prohibits someone from purchasing a weapon, but I am highly focused on getting the age changed from 21 to 18. I feel determined about this matter because I know personally many people who live on their own at 18, 19, or 20, and the only way they can protect themselves, is at home, and with a long rifle, per the law. I think opening this change to allow 18, 19, and 20-year-olds to purchase and conceal carry a handgun in the State of Pennsylvania will not only make a lot of people feel safer but could also reduce the amount of crime and the use of long rifles, as teenagers won't be limited to only buying them.

We the people... have a right, written in the constitution, and even though most people feel as if their rights are disappearing, this is a chance for not only me to gain knowledge on the matter, but for us to step up and say that's enough. We have the right to bear arms, and the fact it is limited to people the age of 21 and over to purchase a pistol and to be able to conceal carry, is ludicrous. It makes absolutely no sense that an 18, 19, or 20-year-old can go and purchase a long rifle, such as an AR-15, but can't purchase a handgun and conceal carry it for self-defense. I have heard only one argument that supports why it is the way it is, and that's because we aren't trusted to conceal carry. 

The minute we turn 18, in most states, we are an adult in the eyes of the law, with the exception of Alabama, Nebraska, and Mississippi. How can we be an adult and have so many restrictions against us? For the parents out there reading this, and probably against what I'm saying... how are we supposed to "grow up" if we are restricted and have no mistakes to learn from? 

I am calling on not only the legislators and companies that have a good amount of say in this matter, but I am calling on the public, whether a Pennsylvania resident or not, and would like to see a change for the right to bear arms. I want to see how many people want to stand up for their rights and say just that! The more we sit and watch, the less happy we will become. We all need to take a stand, together.