Family members of the victims of the Uvalde shooting cry and hug each other after the House Safety Committee voted in favor of HB 2744, to raise the age requirement to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, at the state Capitol in Austin on May 8, 2023. The legislation, known as House Bill 2744, aims to tighten access to firearms following Texas’ deadliest school shooting. The bill received unexpected support after a rally and press conference held by advocates for stricter gun laws, including relatives of shooting victims. The committee voted 8-5 in favor of advancing the bill, with some Republican representatives joining Democrats in the vote. However, it should be noted that the bill may not have prevented the recent Allen mall shooting, as the shooter was 33 years old and used an AR-15-style rifle, which would not be affected by the age restriction. The bill still faces significant challenges in becoming law, as the Texas state legislature has generally loosened gun restrictions over the past decade. The House Speaker and the Governor have expressed doubts about its passage, citing constitutional concerns. Nevertheless, proponents of the bill see the committee’s vote as a significant step forward, while its progress in the legislative process remains uncertain. You can read more at the Texas Tribune here.
Contact us if you have been in an accident or need help with an injury case by messaging us here.
Dey, S., Klibanoff, E., & Serrano, A. (2023, May 8). In surprise move days after Allen Mall shooting, Texas House Panel oks bill raising age to buy semi-automatic rifles. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/08/texas-gun-bill-uvalde-allen-mall-shooting/