Raising the Age Limit to Buy Semi-Automatic Rifles From 18 to 21 (H.R. 5090)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H.R. 5090?
(Updated August 12, 2020)
This bill — the Raise the Age Act — would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle that has or accepts a magazine with a capacity of more than five rounds from 18 to 21 years of age. This would apply to rifles which use centerfire ammunition (which means that the bullet’s primer is located in the center of the cartridge), so rimfire semi-automatic rifles wouldn’t be affected. Active duty members of the military and full-time law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry firearms in the course of their official duties would be exempt from this ban.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation would be required to provide a report to congressional judiciary committees on the protocols and procedures for information sharing between its public access line and field offices. The report would include recommendations for improving the protocols and procedures to improve information sharing.
Argument in favor
No teenager should be able to buy an assault rifle. Handgun purchases are banned until an individual reaches 21 years old, and that should be true for semi-automatic rifles as well. This will reduce gun violence.
Argument opposed
The age when the law recognizes a person as an adult who can vote or serve in the military is 18. Adults should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights and buy a semi-automatic rifle for their self defense.
Impact
People between age 18 and 21 who would want to buy a semi-automatic assault rifle; law enforcement; and the FBI.
Cost of H.R. 5090
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) introduced this bill to raise the age limit for buying a semi-automatic rifle from 18 to 21 years of age:
“The weight of this tragedy and the countless shootings before Parkland demand that Congress take meaningful action. This common-sense bipartisan bill is a critical first step that closes a dangerous loophole in our gun laws. Teenagers should not be able to buy assault weapons. Representative Fitzpatrick and I will do everything we can to marshal our colleagues, address gun violence and demonstrate to the American people that Congress can work together to make our communities safer.”
Original cosponsor Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) added:
“As we pray as a nation for all the victims and families devastated by the Parkland school shooting, we must not allow yet another tragedy to go unanswered. It is incumbent upon all of us to identify the root causes of this senseless violence and move to address it immediately. All options must be on the table, including comprehensive background checks, a bump stock ban, prohibiting the sale of military assault weapons and full funding for gun violence research in a comprehensive manner that could have prevented tragedies like this. This Congress can, and must, take meaningful action to put aside partisanship and work toward solutions.”
This legislation has the support of 22 cosponsors, including 20 Democrats and two Republicans.
Media:
-
Sponsoring Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) Press Release
-
Cosponsoring Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) Press Release
Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: DBTN / iStock)The Latest
-
IT: 🛢️ New Vermont measure could charge Big Oil for climate damages, and... Do you think Trump is guilty?Welcome to Friday, May 10th, friends... Vermont could be one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages read more...
-
Stormy Daniels Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money TrialUpdated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand read more... Law Enforcement
-
Vermont Measure to Charge Big Oil for Climate DamagesWhat’s the story? Vermont is expected to become one of the first states to hold Big Oil accountable for the damages caused by read more... Environment
-
IT: Trump's 2016 'deny, deny, deny' campaign strategy, and... How can you help the civilians of Ukraine?Welcome to Wednesday, May 8th, weekenders... As Trump's hush money trial enters it's third week, the 2016 campaign strategy of read more...