Why 18-year-olds can buy AR-15s in Texas but not handguns

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/26/gun-buying-age-texas-handguns-rifles-uvalde/


The fact that the gunman responsible for this week’s massacre in Uvalde was able to buy two AR-15s days after his 18th birthday highlights how much easier it is for Americans to purchase rifles than handguns.

Under federal law, Americans buying handguns from licensed dealers must be at least 21, which would have precluded the gunman from buying that type of weapon. That trumps Texas law, which only requires buyers of any type of firearm to be 18 or older.

Following Tuesday’s massacre at Robb Elementary School, which killed 19 children and two adults, a growing number of lawmakers in Texas and beyond are calling for the minimum age to purchase assault rifles to be raised to 21 from 18. Doing so would require undoing nearly two centuries of more permissive regulations on so-called long guns.

“It’s something that could happen at either the state or federal level, but I don’t see movement on either front,” said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a criminal law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.

Only six states — Florida, Washington, Vermont, California, Illinois and Hawaii — have increased the minimum purchase age for long guns to 21, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The majority did so following the 2018 massacre in Parkland, Florida, where a then-19-year-old assailant killed 17 people at a high school.

*snip*

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Raise it to 999. It can only help. nt

[IngridsLittleAngel]

2. Texbekistan. Where 18 year olds can buy assault rifles...

but trans teens can't receive healthcare that truly may be a matter of life or death.

Texbekistan. Where 18 year olds can buy assault rifles, but 9 year olds may be dropped off at school and never come home.

Texkekistan. It's like a whole other country... A THIRD-WORLD BANANA REPUBLIC!

[NickB79]

3. Minnesota classifies pistol-gripped rifles like handguns

You need a permit to purchase to buy a handgun or AR-15, which you get from your local police station. Takes 5-10 business days and requires a background check. A conceal carry permit is also sufficient. So by default you have to be 21+ to buy such firearms here. To buy a regular hunting rifle or shotgun, it's still 18+ though.

[uponit7771]

4. Gumpers don't like to talk about Pistol Grip Rifles difference from straight stock rifle

[keithbvadu2]

5. "Only six states"... but that means it is constitutional.

"Only six states"... but that means it is constitutional.

[rollin74]

6. in Texas, 18 year olds can legally purchase handguns

from a private citizen but not from a licensed gun dealer