N.Y. passes bill that raises age to buy guns and own semi-automatic rifles

This Thursday, New York's legislature passed a bill that raised the age to buy a gun or even own it. According to the new bill, anyone under the age of 21 can’t purchase or possess a semi-automatic rifle. Less than three weeks after the Buffalo incident, this significant change occurred when an 18-year-old killed 10 people at the supermarket using a gun.

Earlier this week, Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a gun-control package. This bill is a vital part of that package. Apart from raising the age of getting a gun, it has also made it mandatory to get a license for anyone buying a semi-automatic rifle. The permit was previously required only for handguns.

There’s another legislation in line that will regulate the purchase of bullet-resistant armour by civilians. It was the armour that the shooter in the incident mentioned above. It will also make it mandatory to equip new guns with microstamping technology to help law enforcement investigators in tracing bullets to a particular gun.


The bill for age limit passed the senate along the party lines 43-20, while it was 102-47 in the Assembly. It is now headed to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for her signature. The raised age limit will affect the areas outside New York City a great deal. New York City already needs permits for possessing, purchasing or carrying any kind of firearms. It also prohibits anyone under the age of 21 from possession and buying.

Legal conflicts over the bill are expected. New York’s law that limits the age of those who can get a handgun license is already facing a lawsuit under the U.S. Supreme Court. Also, California’s endeavour to raise the legal age for buying semi-automatic weapons is also under challenge. The National Rifle Association challenged the ban on the sale of firearms to anyone under the age of 21 in Florida. The ban came into effect as a result of the 2018 Parkland shooting.

Hochul made a statement saying that they are taking action to protect New York, but it is a problem that has affected the entire nation. And that there is no time to waste.