Texas lawmakers push for bill to increase age limit for purchasing semiautomatic rifles to 21.

Texas Lawmakers Advance Bill to Raise Minimum Age for Semiautomatic Rifle Purchases

In the wake of a recent mass shooting in Allen, Texas, state lawmakers have advanced a bill that seeks to raise the minimum age for purchasing a semiautomatic rifle to 21. The move is seen as a small victory for gun control advocates, despite the bill being unlikely to pass the conservative Legislature and become law.

Unexpected Support from Republicans

Two Republicans on the House Select Committee on Community Safety joined the committee’s Democrats to approve moving House Bill 2744 to the full chamber for a vote. Representatives Sam Harless from Spring and Justin Holland from Rockwall, both Republicans, voted with Democrats on the last day of the bill’s deadline to move out of committee and continue through the legislative process. Their support came as a surprise, notably with Holland’s previous strong pro-Second Amendment stance.

• Harless described his decision as “the most emotional vote” he’s ever taken, The New York Times reported.
• Holland, who has previously advocated for permitless carry of firearms, sought to clarify his position and defend his decision in a letter in which he indicated that he was moved by recent messaging from gun control advocates.

The bill has been widely criticized by Republicans and gun rights advocates as infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding adults. Opponents of the bill have argued that if an 18-year-old is considered an adult with respect to voting, purchasing tobacco, and serving in the military, then it should entitle them to the full rights to protections granted by the U.S. Constitution.

Holland’s Defense

Holland said that he was convinced by hours of testimony that making “this small change” might be a roadblock to a person aged between 18 and 21 who wants to buy a gun to use it in a “destructive and illegal manner.” The Texas lawmaker had previously earned an endorsement from the National Rifle Association, which assigned him an A rating three times.

In his letter, Holland clarified that he does not support a ban on the sale or possession of these types of rifles. Rather, he thinks that increasing the age requirement for purchase lessens the possibility that the weapon is misused while not undermining our fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

Gun rights advocates have responded with strong opposition to the bill, describing it as infringing on the rights of law-abiding Americans.