By Darsha Dodge – Published: Jan. 16, 2026 at 1:50 PM CST|Updated: 5 hours ago – KOLN/KGIN

My cmnt: This is the foolishest idea since lowering the voting age to 18. Lowering the voting age while keeping the drinking age at 21 shows you something of Leftist schizophrenia. The only reasons democrats support lowering the voting age to 16 is because young people are immature mentally and incapable of making sound, adult decisions – so naturally they tend to vote for the freebies handed out by the democrat-public school industrial complex. If anything the voting age s/b raised back up to 21. Important decisions should never be left up to anyone under the age of 21.

Anytime a young person commits some heinous or illegal act the Libs and democrats rush to remind us that their brains are not fully formed until 25 Years of Age implying that they are not responsible for their actions. But when it will benefit a democrat politician even single digit aged children are capable of deciding to undergo sex change therapy (i.e., drugs and/or surgeries) and to vote for laws affecting actual adult citizens.

This is, like most democrat ideas, pure madness.

In Nebraska, the legal age to purchase a handgun is 21 years old, requiring a handgun purchase certificate from local law enforcement, while the minimum age for rifles/shotguns is 18, though federal law and local county requirements for permits (like in Douglas, Lancaster) add further age/residency/background steps. 

Key Requirements for Handgun Purchase:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years old.
• Permit: You generally need a Handgun Purchase Certificate from your county sheriff or local police, notes Omaha Police Department and Douglas County Sheriff.
• Residency: You must be a Nebraska resident, often needing proof for your specific county (e.g., Douglas, Lancaster).
• Background Check: A federal background check (Form 4473) and a state-level check are required.
• Other Restrictions: Prohibitions exist for felons, domestic abusers, and those with certain mental health adjudications, as detailed by Everytown Research. 

In Summary: While federal law sets the baseline, Nebraska requires specific permits and age verification (21+ for handguns), with county-level rules adding layers like proof of residency, says Giffords Law Center. 

In Nebraska, the age of majority (adulthood) is 19, meaning you gain most adult rights and responsibilities then, though you can enter contracts at 18; however, the legal ages for specific activities like drinking, tobacco/vaping, and casino gambling are 21, while the age of consent for sexual activity is 16. 

Key Ages in Nebraska:

• 19 Years Old: Legal age of majority, considered an adult for most purposes.
• 15 Years Old: To obtain a learner’s permit to drive under adult supervision.
• 16 Years Old: To obtain a driver’s license.
• 18 Years Old: Can enter binding contracts, leases, and is responsible for them; emancipation possible.
• 21 Years Old: Legal age to purchase and consume alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes, and to gamble in traditional casinos.
• 16 Years Old: Age of consent for sexual activity. 

Important Nuances:

• Tobacco: Nebraska law sets the minimum age for tobacco/vaping at 19, even with federal laws.
• Juvenile Court: A person under 18 is considered a juvenile for court purposes, but Nebraska’s age of majority for general purposes is 19. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Among the hundreds of bills and resolutions introduced in the Nebraska Legislature is one aimed at increasing young people’s participation in politics.

Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney is introducing a constitutional amendment that would lower Nebraska’s voting age to 16.

If approved by Nebraska voters this November, LR284CA would lower the voting age to 16.

McKinney told 10/11 earlier this week that he works with many young people around that age who have questions and concerns about what’s happening in society.

“It shouldn’t just be a bunch of old people, we’re making decisions for youth,” McKinney said. “Then they have to pick up the pieces when we potentially might not do the greatest things.“

To those who say 16-year-olds aren’t mature enough to handle voting, McKinney simply asked, “Then why are they driving on our roads?”

The constitutional amendment will be heard in front of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1:30 p.m.