New York’s legislature passed a bill Thursday to ban anyone under 21 years old from buying or owning a semi-automatic rifle.
The raised age limit is the biggest part of a package of gun control measures introduced by Democrats and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The bill also requires anyone buying a semi-automatic rifle to get a license, which is currently only required in New York State for handguns.
Following the recent shootings in Buffalo and Texas, the new legislation will also restrict civilian purchases of bullet-resistant armor, reported AP News.
In addition, it will “require new guns to be equipped with microstamping technology that can help law enforcement investigators trace bullets to particular firearms”.
The bill passed the Senate in a 43-20 vote and in the Assembly with a 102-47 vote. It will now head to Hochul’s desk for her signature.
Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat said “It is meant to be a hassle to those folks who might want to get their hands quickly on something with which they could mass murder people”.
“I really look at this passage as being very comprehensive,” said Rebecca Fischer, executive director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, to Politico.
“Our nation-leading gun legislation package just passed both houses,” Hochul tweeted. “New York is taking swift action to strengthen Red Flag laws, close loopholes, and protect communities”.
“This is a moment of reckoning. It’s clear that we must strengthen our gun laws to keep New Yorkers safe, and that’s exactly what we are doing. I’m going to sign these bills into law and show the nation how government can act to protect our communities,” she said in another tweet.
