Senator Ron Wyden has introduced a bill to raise the legal age for purchasing assault weapons from 18 to 21. In a press release from the United States Senator for Oregon website, Wyden stated, "If you're not old enough to purchase alcohol, you shouldn't be allowed to buy an assault weapon either." The bill aims to implement stricter regulations on access to these firearms.
This initiative comes in response to a statistic showing that over 85 percent of fatalities in public mass shootings with four or more victims were caused by assault rifles. These weapons, originally designed for military use, have been frequently involved in deadly school shootings. Wyden's bill seeks to set the purchase age for assault weapons to 21, aligning it with the age requirement for handguns.
The Age 21 Act, co-sponsored by Senators including Alex Padilla, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren, also proposes to restrict most individuals under 21 from possessing assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Exceptions would apply to service members and law enforcement. This effort comes amid a 2023 report showing that gun-related deaths reached over 46,000, the third-highest in U.S. history.
Supported by organizations like Brady: United Against Gun Violence and Everytown for Gun Safety, the Age 21 Act aims to limit young people's access to assault weapons, potentially reducing future tragedies. The bill seeks to improve control over these firearms as part of the ongoing effort to combat gun violence in America.
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