Why does are legal system permit teenagers to own guns, kill, be raped but not allowed to consume alcohol?

In the united states someone who is 17 years old can be tried as an adult, often for crimes such as arson like 17 year Rodney Hulin. Rodney was raped in prison numerous times and shortly after hung himself. I feel his crime was far less worse then the punishment he received while in prison. Also once a teenager turns 18 he's allowed to join the military to often kill others, regardless of the motive. Also at the age of 18 a person is legally permitted to own a weapon. My question is how can a person be declared mentally mature enough to join the military, serve time in prison, own a weapon but not have the mental capacity to buy a hard lemonade?

I did not intend for my question to be an argument, I'm wondering what's the basis for setting the drinking age standards? also i feel its not a shame to use his story for an example. why? because it really happened, and thats a shame. How could i possibly degrade his story any more then the story itself, as it is degrading to a human whose rights where violated.

Rodney Burned a dumpster. According to the Houston Press His crime had been second-degree arson with property damage of less than $500, It was also a city dumpster.

I totally agree with the age and allowing the brain to develop. But Cigarettes also alter the brains chemistry and you don't have to be 21 to smoke. I also believe someone who commits a crime should be punished accordingly. But those who set the standards should account for contradictions. Don't allow prison rape to result in a death sentence, AIDS/Suicide...for someone serving for 2 years on drug possession. drinking = 21 smoking = 21

The answer is simple. A vast majority of Americans are not as smart as you. They are incapable of thinking issues through to their logical end. And since everyone is allowed to vote (smart and stupid people) we end up with a lot of dumb laws that often seem to contradict each other. My suggestion would be that you start to participate in elections process, if you do not already. Help to create change and educate others around you.

were there people in the building poor Rodney set fire to? My guess is he got what he deserved. Some crimes are so heinous that there is little doubt the criminal knew what they were doing was wrong and still committed the acts. You have to thank the people that think the govt is a better parent than anyone else for the legal restrictions on alcohol. The US has a large population with alcohol related incidences and alcoholism, while most other countries introduce alcohol early into a childs life. I was in a bar in Spain once and a kid (about ten years old) ordered a beer drank it and then went on his way. The whole attitude towards alcohol (and sex for that matter) is so different. I would blame religion but Spain has a highly religious population.

same thing could happen to a 12 year old in some states; is that where you are headed?

If you show a military ID, serve you.

otherwise
21

because the hard drink would only add to the individuals state of mind; at this age the young person's mind is still developing which is why they tend to act so careless and reckless. Now do you think that such an ugly thing as being raped in prison will deter other young people from committing crimes? Just look at prisons.
Here in Texas a young guy killed two elderly people--husband and wife with a crow bar he was sent to prison, he was continually raped, he hung himself because it the rapes never ended; he was there for life but he took his own life. I know this because my brother was in prison while this young guy was there; the guy lived in the same neighborhood so we knew him as did my brother. That rapes is ugly enough yet crimes committed by young people continue. Regrettably, young people will continue to get raped because there are huge perverts there; they have nothing to lose, they are lifers so when a young boy--that has never known about guy to guy rapes goes in they get raped; these young boys are the closes thing these perverts will get to for "sex"; it is the ugly truth.
I agree with you about the punishment being worst than the crime but judges are to blame for their clueless judgments (or do they give these young guys over to the perverts?) have you seen the news about how judges let child molesters off? It makes no sense but those electing them have part of the blame too.

I am all for lowering the drinking age to 18 for those in the military.

I personally don't think they should be allowed to join the military till 21 either. As far as committing crimes, what kind of punishment do you think would be appropriate for burning something down?

But there is little to recommend alcohol consumption for anyone, 18 or 80. I'm not for prohibition, but I think forcing people to wait until their brains are at least partially matured is better than letting them drink when they're not!

There is no point in having the drinking age over 18. Once you are 18 you are legally an adult and should abide by the exact same laws as every other adult. You make a good point too. If someone is mature enough to go to war and undergo adult prison sentences then how is it possible they are not mature enough to drink alcohol? It is ridiculous to turn our young adults into criminals for doing the exact same thing we can do legally.

Alcohol will not damage a 12 year olds brain anymore than a 40 year olds brain. Notice how prescription drugs for anyone over 12 years old require the same dosage. There shouldn鈥檛 be any special laws just for people between the age of 18-21 nor should there be special laws regarding people over a certain age. It should be illegal to write laws that discriminate against an adult citizen based upon age.

Does everyone realize that the United States has the highest drinking age in the world?

Wouldn't this be a better argument against trying minors as adults? I doubt that a hard lemonade was on the poor fellows mind during his time in jail.

Actually the more I think about it, doesn't degrading his story down to a argument about minors and alcohol do him a disservice? Shame.