Texas House Panel Advances Bill , to Raise Age for Buying Semi-Automatic Guns.
The new measure was approved in an 8-5 vote by the Select Committee on Community Safety on May 8.
Two Republicans supported the Democratic bill.
The committee's approval comes
after nine people were shot and killed
at a mall in Dallas over the weekend.
If enacted, the legislation would change the
minimum age for buying a semi-automatic rifle that is
more than a .22 caliber with a detachable magazine. .
Purchasers would have to be 21 instead of 18.
The bill must still make it through
the House, where it will likely face
opposition from the Republican majority. .
The Senate and Governor's Mansion
are also controlled by Republicans. .
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement after the recent mall shooting, saying the "root cause" of gun violence is mental health.
There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of anger and violence that’s taking place in America, Gov. Greg Abbott, via statement.
People want a quick solution.
The long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue, Gov. Greg Abbott, via statement