- The House passed legislation that would raise the age limit from 18 to 21 to buy a semi-automatic weapon.
- The measure was part of the Protecting Our Kids Act package of gun reform policies in the wake of mass shootings.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted in favor of raising the age from 18 to 21 for semi-automatic weapon purchases in response to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York.
The 228-199 vote occurred largely along party lines, with two Democrats voting against the bill and 10 Republicans siding with the Democrat-led proposed legislation.
—House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) $4
The age hike was part of a package of gun safety bills known as the Protecting Our Kids Act, introduced by Rep. Jerry Nadler, which was broken up into $4, including prohibiting the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds, to pressure GOP congresspeople resistant to tighter gun laws.
The different sections were voted on individually, and 10 GOP members voted on retaining Title I. Overall, five GOP members voted in favor of the whole package.
A recent $4 found that 70% of Americans favor enacting gun control laws over protecting ownership of guns.
While the legislation isn't expected to survive in the Senate, which is focusing on policies related to school safety, improving mental health programs, and enhancing background checks, the House bill serves to show voters where lawmakers stand on the issue ahead of the November midterms as the government tries to address the rise of gun violence in the US.
Here are the 10 Republicans who voted in favor of Title I of the Protecting Our Kids Act to raise the age limit to buy semi-automatic weapons: