New York State Raises Minimum Age for Buying Semi-Automatic Weapons

Published on 3/06/2022 at 07:01
Reading time: 2 mins

LLawmakers in the US state of New York on Thursday night approved a law change that raises the minimum legal age to buy semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21, alongside other stricter rules regarding the purchase of firearms and other military equipment.

According to state Governor Kathy Hochul – who has yet to sign off – the bill was passed in response to the deadly shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, in Texas last month.

Anyone wishing to buy a semi-automatic weapon in New York will therefore need to be at least 21 years old and have a gun license. In addition, citizens will also be prohibited from buying bulletproof vests and weapons may be taken away from people who may pose a risk to themselves or others. In addition, making threats of mass attacks will now be considered a crime.

Earlier in the evening, US President Joe Biden called for a nationwide ban on the sale of semi-automatic assault rifles. “We must at least raise the minimum legal age” to obtain such weapons, from 18 to 21, he said, also calling for the banning of high-capacity magazines, the strengthening of criminal background checks or psychological problems of potential buyers and the vote for a text obliging individuals to keep their weapons locked up.

–