Is the minimum age climbing to 21? In June, the House passed a bill that would raise the minimum age for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle to 21 and to limit magazine capacity to 15 rounds.
In July, the House also passed the “Assault weapons ban of 2022” (H.R. 1808) which would halt the sale of all semiautomatic assault weapons (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD) to anyone other than law enforcement, active or retired. It would also require all newly made LCAFD to have serial numbers. Previously manufactured SAWs and LCAFD would be grandfathered.
Currently neither of the above items have gone before the Senate, but keep your eyes open people.
On Saturday, June 25th, the President signed into law “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act” (S.2938) which enhances restrictions and penalties on firearm transactions.
This Bill being signed into law is going to make a big difference during hunting season.
Notified 10 days ago by NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) , firearm dealers across the country were given some interesting news. From now on, a person aged 18, 19, or 20 wanting to purchase a long gun (shotgun or rifle) will automatically have their background check delayed up to 10 days. The current law allows NICS to take 3 business days (which can take up to a week if weekends or holidays are involved) for a background check to be completed by the FBI.
What does this mean for the hard working, law abiding buyer who may want to go hunting? You better have time to wait, regardless of your background. This will automatically affect gun sales for licensed gun dealers. What is the point behind this extra delay? The government wants to know their home address so they can contact local law enforcement for further information. It’s a good thing that local law enforcement agencies are well funded and fully employed to be able to handle this “extra” work.
Will this be a major problem with the active military? Of course, the majority of the members do not live at home any longer (the address on their Driver’s License) and I’m not sure how the military is going to feel about having to answer a bunch of questions about their active members.
How is this a change? Previously if someone had a clean background, they would be issued a “Proceed” and the transaction would take place. Now, no matter the person’s history, a delay will be in effect for those under 21 for up to ten business days.
What happened to the home of the free and the brave?
In 1984, the National minimum drinking age was raised to 21. In 2019, the National minimum age to purchase tobacco was raised to 21. In 2022, the minimum age to purchase a long gun is possibly going to change to 21.
What can a person still do under the age of 21? Currently a person can drive a vehicle at the age of 16, buy a house at the age of 18, go to war and die for our country at the age of 18. A person can vote at the age of 18 (even though some states allow 17 year olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Election Day). A person can buy a lotto ticket at 18, give consent to their medical care including being treated at an ER, and sign a contract and be called to jury duty.
Maybe the questions need to be asked. How can a person be trusted to vote, serve on a jury or drive a car if they can’t be trusted purchasing a firearm or buying a pack of cigarettes?
Remember knowledge is power, home of the free and the brave may just become a slogan on a flag and the government may be overstepping their limits, and people are just too compliant to care.