House Votes To Set Minimum Age At 21 For Buying Semi-Automatic Weapons
We’re finally seeing some type of moment in Congress when it comes to these gun laws but we have so far to go.
The House on Wednesday passed a series of new gun measures, including a measure to raise the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, in response to a horrific spate of mass shootings across the country.
The legislative package passed in a 223-204 vote, with five Republicans joining all but two Democrats in support.
Democratic Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Kurt Schrader of Oregon opposed the bill. The five Republicans who went against their party were Chris Jacobs of New York, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Fred Upton of Michigan, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.
“Why? Why would someone be against raising the age so that teenagers do not have AK-47s?” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Wednesday at an event with advocates seeking to reduce gun violence. “Yes, they say mental health issues. Yes, we want to address mental health issues. Other countries have mental health issues. They don’t have a gun violence epidemic.”
The Protecting Our Kids Act would ban large-capacity ammunition feeding devices and toughen penalties for gun trafficking and “straw purchases.” It also would establish residential gun storage rules, with criminal penalties for violations. In addition, it would require registration for bump stock-type devices and modify the definition of a “ghost gun” that is subject to regulation.
The voting comes after multiple reports of mass shootings within the last few weeks including the Robb Elementary School that killed 21 people (including 19 kids, and 2 teachers.) The shooter was an 18-year old who purchased the gun legally.
The Tops grocery store mass shooting in Buffalo, NY that killed 10 people was also done by an 18-year old. He was targeting Black people.
The ‘Protecting Our Kids Act’ is now set to be sent over to the Senate but it could be difficult to pass.
