[spence]

Originally Posted by detbuch

Actually the Constitution does impose an age restriction. It is one which, in effect, imposes that restriction on those under the age of eighteen. That is the age which the 26th Amendment gives citizens the right to vote which cannot be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State.

Ergo, the Constitution, in effect (the right to vote being the signature of full citizenship), does not grant those under that age the full rights granted to those who have not reached that age of majority. Wikipedia: "The age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared) in law. It is the chronological moment when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardian over and for them. Most countries set majority at 18."

That is all to say that various "adult" rights, such as the right to bear arms, are not guaranteed to minors, but can be granted or restricted by different levels of government.

All the 26th Amendment does is prohibit states from restricting voting for those over the age of 17. If you're 18 or 19 or 20 you're a voting adult and still under federal law prohibited from buying a hand gun for instance...Many states even allow minors to own long guns as well.