how old should one be?

There is current talk of whether an effective gun violence deterrent would be to raise the minimum age to 21 to purchase a firearm. Such is existing law in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, and Vermont. 17 more states make 21 the minimum age for handguns, but have set 18 as the age for rifle and shotgun purchases.

The thought is that at 21 we become adults, capable of making independent decisions, with an increased likelihood of being mentally solid and stable. It thus made me ask what we’re able to do when we aren’t thought to be adults, make independent decisions, nor be mentally solid and stable. Consider that you must be…

  • 10 to hunt alone in Alaska
  • 10 to hunt big game in Arizona
  • 12 to consent to immunization against sexually transmitted infections if in California or Washington, D.C. (In D.C., this is with all CDC-approved vaccines, even over parental objections.)
  • 13 to create a Facebook account
  • 14 to be employed for most non-agricultural work
  • 14 to get a learner’s permit in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa and North and South Dakota
  • 14 to pilot a glider or balloon
  • 14 to operate a personal watercraft in Florida
  • 14 to go to Disney World parks alone
  • 14 to fish in Idaho
  • 14 to work at Starbucks in Montana (It’s 16 for the other 49 states.)
  • 15 to fly alone on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit, and United (Southwest is good with 12.)
  • 16 to work more than 3 hours on a school day
  • 16 to vote in school board elections if a resident of Oakland, California
  • 16 to get an abortion without parental consent in Delaware and Massachusetts
  • 16 to fly a plane
  • 16 to take puberty blockers, hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery in South Dakota
  • 16-18 depending on the state to be able to legally consent to sexual contact
  • 17 to vote in the primary elections and caucuses of 17 states if 18 by election day 
  • 17 to skate in the 2026 Winter Olympics
  • 17 to enlist in the military
  • 17 to buy tickets to R-rated movies
  • 17 to stay out after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in Illinois
  • 17  to adopt a child in Florida if married (18 is the threshold for an unmarried adult, although many adoption agencies add older requirements.)
  • 18 to work in an occupation considered “hazardous” by the Dept. of Labor
  • 18 to join Planet Fitness without a parental waiver
  • 18 to be considered the “age of majority” in which one is granted by law the rights and responsibilities of an adult, in all but 3 states (It’s 19 in Alabama and Nebraska — 21 in Mississippi.)
  • 18 to work in mining or manufacturing, even if employed by family
  • 18 to vote
  • 18 to get a tattoo without permission from parents
  • 18 to play in Major League Baseball if from the U.S. (International players need only be 17)
  • 18 to buy Sudafed, Robitussin-DM and more in most states
  • 18 to drive a taxi in New York City
  • 18 to become a substitute teacher in most states
  • 19 to get married in Nebraska
  • 21 to purchase alcohol (This does not apply to the minimum age for consumption, which varies by state.)
  • 21 to purchase tobacco (The current age to purchase tobacco in North Carolina is still 18; however, stores that sell under 21 may be subject to federal enforcement.)
  • 21 to gamble in Vegas
  • 25 to rent a Hertz cargo van
  • 25 to be a Representative
  • 30 to be a Senator
  • 35 to be President
  • 50 to play on the Senior PGA Tour
  • 62 to receive Social Security benefits
  • 65 to qualify for Medicare

It’s certainly interesting where we advocate to increase or decrease minimum age requirements. Perspective matters.

Respectfully…

AR