Global Courant 2023-05-09 01:03:47
Texas state lawmakers introduced a bill Monday to raise the age for purchasing certain semi-automatic rifles, a move that came days after a gunman killed eight people and wounded several others at an outdoor mall.
The Community Safety, Select Committee in the state house passed House bill 2744 by 8 to 5 votes.
Two Republicans, Rep. Sam Harless of Spring and Rep. Rockwall’s Justin Holland, joined the Democrats on the committee who voted for the bill, Fox Dallas reported.
An AR-15 rifle. Texas state legislators have introduced a bill to raise the age for purchasing certain semi-automatic rifles. (West Melbourne Police Station)
The bill goes to the House for a full vote. The legislation would raise the age from 18 to 21 to own “a semi-automatic rifle that can accept a detachable magazine and that has a caliber greater than .22”.
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Individuals such as peace officers, members of military service, or honorably discharged from the armed forces could be exempted.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Representative Tracy King, who represents Uvalde, where a gunman killed 19 elementary school children and two adults last year.
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Colt M4 Carbine and AR-15 style rifles are on display at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on May 28, 2022. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Our votes make a difference. The push to get this bill to the House floor continues,” Senator Roland Gutierrez, who also represents Uvalde, tweeted.
Last weekend, a gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets outside of Dallas, killing eight people. The gunman, identified as Mauricio Garcia, 33, was killed by police officers.
