House Votes for New Restriction on Semi-Automatic Weapon Sales

House Lawmakers PASS Gun Control Measure – Could It Survive The Senate?

(USNewsBreak.com) – Democrats in the US House of Representatives have used the school shooting in Texas to invigorate their efforts to institute stricter gun control laws. On June 8, they passed the Protecting Our Kids Act, raising the legal age limit to purchase semi-automatic firearms to 21 years old. The bill now moves to the Senate.

House votes to set minimum age of 21 for buying semi-automatic weapons in response to spate of shootings https://t.co/9N0s69HFHE

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 9, 2022

The legislation also bans ammunition magazines that hold more than 15 rounds and adds penalties for people who do not follow safe storage requirements for firearms. It includes a range of proposals that came prior to the recent mass shootings in which both gunmen were under the age of 21, with additional provisions added after testimony came from victims of the tragedies.

The Protecting Our Kids Act passed with a vote of 223-204. Five Republicans sided with Democrats. But according to a report from Fox News, the bill will have a difficult time in the Senate, where the focus is more on increasing school security, making background checks more thorough, and creating better mental health care.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared a thank you to the House members for passing the bill on Twitter. She stated the legislation would help keep guns out of the wrong hands, saving lives.

Thank you to @SpeakerPelosi & the House for passing bipartisan legislation to strengthen gun laws & protect children. Soon,the House will do more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. We continue to work hard with both parties to save lives and stand up for families.

— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) June 9, 2022

Many GOP members of the House were against the bill because they felt it was unconstitutional and represented government overreach. Representative Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) said it is evidence that the Left doesn’t respect the Second Amendment.