House passed bill increasing minimum purchase age of assault rifles to 21

Image Source: Daily Sabah

The House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday, raising the minimum age for individuals allowed to buy assault rifles from 18 years old to 21.

The proposed law has been called the “Protecting Our Kids Act.” However, analysts think that it will not pass in Senate and is likely to be opposed by several lawmakers in the upper chamber.

The new law will disallow individuals from buying large-capacity magazines and dictate how owners should store their weapons inside homes.

The Protecting Our Kids Act was passed with a 223-204 vote in the House of Representatives. The bill will now go to Senate for further hearings and debate.

Gun violence in the United States is an issue that continues to take lives. The recent cases of school shootings and gun massacres in public spaces have caused many people to advocate for stricter firearm regulations across America.

The press secretary of the White House released a statement saying that President Biden is in full support of legislation related to red flag laws and background checks.

Red flag laws will allow individuals to take their cases before a judge who can order the state’s recovery of weapons if they determine that the person in possession of the firearm poses an imminent threat.

Press Secretary Jean-Pierre said, “We understand not every component of what the president is calling for is going to stop every tragedy. But we have to take the steps, and we have to move forward, and we have to do something.”

A well-known advocate of stricter gun restrictions, Senator John Cornyn, told the press, “I’m glad to say on this topic, we are making steady progress. It is early in the process, but I’m optimistic about where things stand right now.”

“What am I optimistic about? I’m optimistic that we can pass a bill in the Senate, it can pass the House, and it will get a signature by President Biden. And it will become the law of the land,” Cornyn said.

Senator Cornyn announced that he would be fighting for better mental health services in the country and stronger security in schools.

The senator has also announced that he wants to create a law that will require states in the country to forward all records of juvenile delinquency and crime to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Cornyn explained, “Because this young man in Uvalde turned 18 and there was no lookback at his juvenile record, he passed a background check. It’s as if he were born on his 18th birthday and that nothing that had happened before was important.”

“That’s obviously a problem.”