Minnesota’s minimum age of 21 to carry guns unconstitutional, appeals court rules

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A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a lower court decision that if left unchallenged will allow 18- to 20-year-olds to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota.

The state’s current permit-to-carry statute allows people 21 and older to carry a firearm in public if they obtain a permit. Last year, a group of gun rights advocates sued to challenge the age limit, arguing it deprived adults under 21 of the constitutionally protected right to bear arms.

A Minnesota federal judge in 2023 sided with gun rights groups who brought the case on behalf of three plaintiffs under 21 seeking carry permits. The state then appealed the case.

Unanimous decision

In a unanimous opinion from the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Tuesday, judges agreed with the lower court’s finding that Minnesota’s age limit of 21 to obtain a concealed carry permit can not be enforced, as it deprives legal adults of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

“Ordinary, law-abiding 18 to 20-year-old Minnesotans are unambiguously members of the people,” wrote Judge William Duane Benton in the court’s opinion, joined by judges Lavenski R. Smith and David R. Stras. “Because the plain text of the Second Amendment covers the plaintiffs and their conduct, it is presumptively constitutionally protected.”

In her ruling last year, U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez wrote that a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision requires regulations on guns to be weighed on whether they are consistent with the nation’s “historical tradition” of regulation, rather than public safety concerns.

At the time, Menendez expressed reservations about the required historical analysis sought by the Supreme Court in their ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

“Judges are not historians,” she wrote. “The process of consulting historical sources to divine the intent of those responsible for ratifying constitutional amendments is fraught with potential for error and confirmation bias.”

Gun owners group applauds ruling

The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which brought the lawsuit along with other gun rights groups including the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation, hailed the Tuesday ruling as a “resounding victory.”

“Politicians should carefully consider the legal ramifications of infringing on Second Amendment rights, ” Senior Vice President Rob Doar said in a news release. “The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and its allies will relentlessly pursue legal action against any unconstitutional measures introduced in Minnesota.”

Minnesota’s permit to carry statute remains unchanged until the appeals process has concluded, so those under the age of 21 are still ineligible to apply.

Attorney general ‘disappointed’ in ruling

In a statement, Attorney General Keith Ellison said he was “disappointed” in the ruling and that the Supreme Court’s 2022 Bruen ruling expanding interpretation of the Second Amendment is an obstacle for efforts to prevent gun violence.

He noted Minnesota has had several shootings with multiple casualties this year, and that the person who tried to assassinate former president Donald Trump on Saturday was 20 years old.

“This epidemic of gun violence will continue unabated unless we do something about it,” Ellison said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling made that far more difficult by opening the floodgates to litigation from gun advocacy groups looking to undo reasonable safety legislation.”

The state is weighing options which could include an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ellison’s office said.

Permit to carry law

Minnesota enacted its permit to carry law in 2003.

Applicants must take an approved firearms training course and apply at their local sheriff’s office. The sheriff’s office then investigates the applicant’s background before deciding whether to issue a permit.

Minnesota’s permit-to-carry law allows for the concealed and open carrying of firearms. Other states, such as Wisconsin and North Dakota, allow for open carrying of firearms under certain circumstances without a permit.

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A Trump-owned company sells $299 sneakers with an image of his bloodied face after rally shooting

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By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A company is now selling $299 sneakers showing an image of Donald Trump with streaks of blood on his cheek and pumping his fist in the air after he was the target of an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.

The white high tops are being sold as “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT High-Tops” for $299 on a website that sells Trump-branded shoes that is run by CIC Ventures LLC, a company that Trump reported owning in his 2023 financial disclosure. The company says the new shoes are limited edition with only 5,000 pairs available and estimated to ship in September or October. It also said 10 pairs will be randomly autographed.

“These limited edition high-tops, featuring Trump’s iconic image with his fist raised, honor his unwavering determination and bravery,” it says. “With only 5,000 pairs available, each one is a true collector’s item. Show your support and patriotic pride with these exclusive sneakers, capturing a defining moment in history.”

CIC Ventures is the same company that debuted “Never Surrender High-Tops,” shiny gold sneakers with an American flag detail on the back, for $399.

The sale is another sign the former president’s allies intend to capitalize on how Trump reacted after the shooting at a Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump got back to his feet and pumped his fist toward the crowd, mouthing “fight, fight.”

On Monday, Trump got a hero’s welcome at the Republican National Convention’s opening night, appearing visibly emotional with a bandage over his right ear as musician Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA.”

Supporters are hoping those moments help him pave his path straight back to the White House as he challenges Democratic President Joe Biden’s reelection. Biden has been to trying to reassure his own party that he is capable of serving another four years, but there are worries and calls to nominate another candidate after his debate performance last month.

Earlier this year, Trump made an unusual stop at “Sneaker Con” to introduce the shiny gold high tops.

CIC Ventures’ website says it is not political and has no connection to a political campaign, though Trump campaign officials have promoted it in online posts.

Minnesota United endorses Forbidden Festival outside St. Paul’s Allianz Field

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Lest there be any doubt, Minnesota United is in support of the 23-year-old undergraduate organizing an eight-hour electronic dance music festival outside Allianz Field.

The Forbidden Festival, scheduled for Sept. 21, is planning for some 4,000 attendees and promises an all-you-can-drink open bar with a wide variety of alcohol. Given that festival organizer Breno Bueno is still an undergraduate at the University of St. Thomas, some skeptics questioned whether the 21+ event has legs.

“So evidently the ‘Forbidden’ college festival that a 23-year-old St. Thomas student is promoting … is really a thing and not a joke,” wrote a longtime soccer fan on the social media platform X, noting Minnesota United promoted the event in a recent newsletter.

“We think it’s a unique event idea,” said Zacharia Litzelswope, director of events and guest experience for Minnesota United, in an interview this week. “We’ve been unfortunately slow to the game of getting into music, and a lot of that was due to COVID. We want to find the balance of introducing people to entertainment and being respectful of the neighbors.”

Litzelswope acknowledged that last month’s Breakaway Music Festival, which drew some 24,000 visitors over two days, had generated numerous noise complaints. The Forbidden Festival will have a “smaller footprint,” he said, with one stage instead of two. The stage will be situated just north of the Great Lawn, facing the stadium itself, which is likely to help contain sound. Breakaway, in contrast, offered music on two stages, he said, with speakers and event-goers “stretched all over the northeast side of the site.”

Bueno has asked the city for a slightly lower noise level variance than Breakaway, with a limit of 90 decibels instead of 97. As for the open bar, Litzelswope said “that’s an initiative of the event itself. Like any event, we make sure they have the proper permitting. … We have security standards, whether it’s inside the stadium or outside.”

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Singer Ingrid Andress says she was drunk during panned MLB anthem performance, will get treatment

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After a widely panned performance of the U.S. national anthem at the MLB Home Run Derby, country singer Ingrid Andress apologized Tuesday and said she was drunk.

“I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition.”

The MLB is not commenting, spokesperson Matt Bourne said.

A representative for Andress said there will be no additional comment at this time.

On Monday night, the four-time Grammy nominee belted an a cappella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” an incredibly challenging song to sing. Clips of her less-than-popular rendition at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, went viral.

Sports Illustrated writer Alex Carr posted on X, formerly Twitter, “I’m so sorry, I’m sure Ingrid Andress is a wonderful person, but that was one of the worst national anthems I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life.”

Here’s more to know about the incident and Andress.

Who is Ingrid Andress?

Andress, 32, began her career as a Nashville songwriter, penning songs for performers across genres, including Bebe Rexha’s “Girl in the Mirror,” Halestorm’s “Conflicted,” and the critically acclaimed “Boys,” which became an international hit for British singer Charli XCX.

Soon, she inked a deal with Warner Music Nashville and Atlantic Records for her own music, releasing her debut album “Lady Like” in 2020. Her breakthrough single “More Hearts Than Mine” proceeded the release, peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the list for 20 weeks.

In 2021, she released her second-biggest song to date, the country radio favorite “Wishful Drinking,” a collaboration with singer Sam Hunt. It also spent 20 weeks on the chart, peaking at No. 47.

Her sophomore album, “Good Person,” was released in 2022.

What was the reaction to her MLB Home Run Derby performance?

Andress’ performance quickly made the rounds on social media.

Vulture blogger Bethy Squires joked that Andress sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “in cursive,” a reference to a popular Internet neologism referring to pop singers stretching vowels and accentuating their vocal fry.

Chris Wright, the executive editor of Saturday Down South, was a bit more delicate: “I enjoy Ingrid Andress’ music and have seen her in concert,” he wrote on X. “After listening to that National Anthem, I have a newfound respect for her producers and sound crew. Wow.”

This isn’t the first time a performance of the national anthem has been panned.

In the pantheon of controversial renditions of the national anthem at sporting events, Roseanne Barr’s rendition at a 1990 San Diego Padres game and Fergie’s at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game yielded similar reactions.

Following her performance, Fergie released a statement: “I’ve always been honored and proud to perform the national anthem and last night I wanted to try something special for the NBA,” the Grammy-winning singer said. “I’m a risk taker artistically, but clearly this rendition didn’t strike the intended tone. I love this country and honestly tried my best.”

Barr responded to Fergie’s performance, writing on Twitter at the time, “Who saw Fergie’s national anthem performance at the NBA All Star Game? I think mine was better lowkey.”

What’s next for Andress?

Earlier today, Andress had four forthcoming tour dates listed online: July 17 at Nashville’s Cannery Hall, July 24 at Denver’s Globe Hall Live Music & BBQ, Aug. 3 at Minneapolis’ Basilica Block Party, an annual music festival, and Oct. 4 at Inlet Lodge in Ocean City, Maryland, for the Country Calling festival.

Andress’ official website currently only lists the two festival dates.

A representative for Andress confirmed to The Associated Press that her “upcoming shows in Nashville and Denver have been canceled, and the venues are in touch with ticket buyers regarding refunds.”

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