# House raises the age to buy semi-automatic rifles to 21 (but unlikely to pass in the Senate) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 9, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901 "2022-06-09T00:37:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/1 "2022-06-09T00:37:26Z")
I searched on ‘gun’ and didn’t see a relevant thread. In the closed threads, it’s said that there are existing threads but nobody bothers to post links. So… > **[House passes gun control bill after Buffalo, Uvalde attacks](https://www.yahoo.com/news/house-poised-pass-gun-bill-204508466.html)** > > The House passed a wide-ranging gun control bill Wednesday in response to recent mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition... Per the article, this has little chance of passing the Senate. You all know I have firearms. A lot of firearms. I think you all know that I am also a Liberal. Raising the age to buy/own a semi-automatic rifle seems reasonable to me. I’m not a hunter, but my impression is that most hunting is done with bolt-action or lever-action rifles, or pump-action or break-open shotguns. I don’t see that raising the age limit on semi-automatic firearms is overly burdensome. In any case, AFAIK someone under the age limit may ‘possess’ a firearm s/he may not actually own, under the supervision of a responsible adult. The one area where I could see it as burdensome is with semi-automatic .22 rimfire rifles. The Ruger 10-22 is extremely popular, especially for younger shooters. [NB: The minimum age to buy a handgun has ‘always’ been 21 under Federal law.] ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/2 "2022-06-09T01:01:19Z")
The most appropriate current thread was probably > [@Minmaxing gun laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minmaxing-gun-laws/965515): > > [As suggested by What Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-another-gun-thread/965314/24), I’m hoping to have a focused discussion of gun laws. To wit: what policy measures could be passed that would minimize the deleterious effects on gun owners, while maximizing the protection to human life? I’m leaving the “min” side deliberately ambiguous. A policy of knocking down doors, confiscating all guns, and shooting any resistors clearly doesn’t minimize the deleterious effects, whereas one that merely adds an extra apostrophe to the background check form probab… The most recently closed thread that would have been appropriate was > [@As a responsible gun owner, we as a country need to fix this gun violence problem!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-responsible-gun-owner-we-as-a-country-need-to-fix-this-gun-violence-problem/965697): > > There are many contributing factors to our problem. It’s an American problem. We love our guns. But we can’t keep having these mass shootings! Briefly about me — I did not grow up with guns. Until the military, I never fired a gun. I served from 1980-1993. I did not buy my first gun until about 2006. I now own several, and when my wife and I camp remotely I feel much more secure having my gun with me. I am now actively working to support the following: ● Universal background check for every g… Which were cross linked. But there’s bee a few closed threads, so not sure which ones you were in. Up to you if you want to ask a mod to merge, or if you wanted to focus instead on the new legislation, which (as stated in the two threads above) I’d be in favor of if the Senate can get enough Republican support. But I’m about 99% positive that even those few that have expressed mild support will back off at the last minute saying something banal like ‘they don’t want to rush to judgement’ and ‘to have a committee evaluate it fully’. IE they’ll table it and come back to it never. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/3 "2022-06-09T01:09:03Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > You all know I have firearms. A lot of firearms. I think you all know that I am also a Liberal. Raising the age to buy/own a semi-automatic rifle seems reasonable to me. Do you think this law would have anything more than a negligible effect on gun violence in the United States? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/4 "2022-06-09T01:10:23Z")
This appears to be stand alone. Let’s leave it alone. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/5 "2022-06-09T01:12:06Z")
I do not live in an area where 18-year-olds buy semi-automatic firearms as a matter of course. Certainly, the Uvalde shooter would not have been able to buy the firearms he used. I’ve heard that there are more firearms in the U.S. than there are people. Young people, criminals, mentally unstable people, et. al. will always be able to obtain firearms. Nevertheless, I do think that raising the minimum age will help. (Says the guy who’s well past 21.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/6 "2022-06-09T01:17:36Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Do you think this law would have anything more than a negligible effect on gun violence in the United States? I think it would be a minor help, but wouldn’t mind it passing, again, it’s not heavily burdensome on gun owners and if it stops just a few shootings a year it’s a win. The 15 round magazine limit included in the bill is probably also not much of a help (see the other threads listed above). The other bill, mentioned in the same link would probably be more hopeful, but equally doomed politically - > The House is also expected to approve a bill Thursday that would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people who are believed to be at extreme risk of harming themselves or others. Because a federal Red Flag law would at least give the police and families tools to legally deal with a suspected shooter in the making, and considering the limited of numbers of states that have proactively put such laws on the books, it would be a huge help. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/7 "2022-06-09T01:19:43Z")
I don’t love age based laws. Do we make an exception for those actually serving in the military. This seems like a tiny fix. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/8 "2022-06-09T01:21:07Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I don’t love age based laws. Do we make an exception for those actually serving in the military. AFAIK, people under the age of 21 are not permitted to own handguns even if they are in the military. And we don’t make exceptions for military personnel for alcohol, AFAIK, ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/9 "2022-06-09T01:25:26Z")
You don’t see the irony in the people who actually need to go into combat can’t own a gun to go hunting? FTR, I’ve always been against the drinking age applying to the military. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/10 "2022-06-09T01:28:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > You don’t see the irony in the people who actually need to go into combat can’t own a gun to go hunting? You’re old enough to kill But not for votin’ I see the irony, just as I can see the irony from Eve Of Destruction and being old enough to kill but not for drinking. Nevertheless. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/11 "2022-06-09T01:40:41Z")
Yeah, this is a band-aid fix. Still, I am not opposed to it. However, McConnell won’t let it pass, he can let it look like Biden is getting anything done. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I’m not a hunter, but my impression is that most hunting is done with bolt-action or lever-action rifles, or pump-action or break-open shotguns. You are thinking the extended magazine semi-auto rifles that look military. They are used for varmint hunting but nothing serious like deer, bear, boar, etc. > **[Remington Model 7400](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Model_7400)** > > The Remington Model 7400 is a series of Semi-automatic rifles manufactured by Remington Arms. The Model 7400 was a replacement of the Model 740 rifle which Remington produced from 1952 to 1981. The 7400 model was ultimately replaced by the Model 750 in 2006. > The Model 7400 was introduced in 1981 and was basically the same as the Model Four. Major differences included a checkered pistol-grip and straight comb stock. Initially only offered with a 22 in (56 cm) barrel, in 1988 an 18 in (46 cm) vers... _That_ is a pretty standard hunting rifle, for example. Along with a good number of others. Semi-auto shotguns are standard for duck hunting. Less recoil. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/12 "2022-06-09T01:46:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You are thinking the extended magazine semi-auto rifles that look military. They are used for varmint hunting but nothing serious like deer, bear, boar, etc. > [@DrDeth](#): > > _That_ is a pretty standard hunting rifle, for example. Along with a good number of others. > > Semi-auto shotguns are standard for duck hunting. Less recoil. I am aware of that. Still, not having a semi-automatic hunting firearm for three years doesn’t seem to be much of a hardship. I still have my first firearm, a Sears & Roebuck (Marlin) single-shot .22LR/.22L/.22S with a bolt and then a plunger that needs to be pulled back, that I bought when I was 18. It’s a good rifle for discipline, since you only have one shot. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/13 "2022-06-09T01:51:08Z")
Like I said, I am not opposed to the bill. It’s _something_… but Mitch won’t it even get to a vote. However, yes, semi-autos are commonly used for hunting. I still have my single shot bolt action .22 with peep sight my Dad bought me. But it’s a target, not hunting gun. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/14 "2022-06-09T02:02:54Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > However, yes, semi-autos are commonly used for hunting. So…how is hunting done now? Is it BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM…etc until you hit something (and that is a small magazine)? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/15 "2022-06-09T02:05:27Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > until you hit something (and that is a small magazine)? I am not a hunter. But AIUI, limitations to three rounds in a magazine plus one in the chamber are common. (I don’t know how that works with tube magazines like on a Winchester Model 94.) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/16 "2022-06-09T02:08:19Z")
So, an AR-15 is not really meant for hunting even if it technically can be used as such. Owners of such a rifle never really mean to use it for hunting (it would seem). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/17 "2022-06-09T02:12:39Z")
IIRC, the AR-15 was originally marketed as a ‘varmint rifle’ – a role for which is is particularly well-suited. Personally, I differentiate between ‘hunting’ and ‘varmint hunting’; because ‘hunting’ (to me) is killing an animal for food, and ‘varmint hunting’ is to protect livestock. Full disclosure: I own several AR-15s; two actual 1979 Colt SP-1s; and other brands that I built. I don’t hunt. They are just for collecting. (And I’m planning to sell all but the Colts. I’m getting old.) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/18 "2022-06-09T02:43:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > You don’t see the irony in the people who actually need to go into combat can’t own a gun to go hunting? > > FTR, I’ve always been against the drinking age applying to the military. Raise the age for military service to 21. I’m serious. When I was young, I rallied for the right to vote at age 18 exactly because of that “old enough to kill, but…” reason. It only took me a few years to realize 18-year olds should be allowed to grow up before sending them off to war. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/19 "2022-06-09T02:49:42Z")
The Kryptonian speaks well! Honestly, we’ve been making much for years of having a highly trained professional military, to the point where having a slightly older demographic is probably a pro rather than a con. Having a few more years before deciding on a path that could get you killed in action is also probably wise considering the emotional stability of many 18 year olds. For those who want to make it a career, I’m sure something similar to ROTC for a few years could also be managed as a quasi-part time occupation. Again, help build skills and discipline that will allow better professional performance if they do end up completing the program. /back from side (?) track Speaking from a Politics and Elections POV rather than a gun control POV though, I think the House Democrats are trying to force the Republicans to own the lack of gun control efforts prior to midterms. I don’t think it will move the needle much, but seems to be a two-fer as it were. They win if they pass it (because they DID something dammit [and yes, it’s worthwhile to do anyway] ) and hammer at the Republicans if they nix it despite sentiment. Sadly, this hasn’t seemed to make much difference in the past years despite multiple school shootings… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2022, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901/20 "2022-06-09T04:00:41Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > So…how is hunting done now? Is it BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM…etc until you hit something (and that is a small magazine)? I typically use a level action Winchester .30-30 for deer hunting in Arkansas and carry 3 rounds of ammunition with me. Someone with a semi-automatic rifle should maybe go BLAM-BLAM. One guy I hunted with (once), when BLAM…BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM and still missed his deer. I made sure my deer stand was very far away from his. Most states don’t limit the magazine capacity for rifles while hunting. In Arkansas, if I wanted to take an AR-15 with a 20 round magazine to hunt deer with it’s perfectly legal. But, like I said, I carry three whole rounds with me and I’ve never fired more than one. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-raises-the-age-to-buy-semi-automatic-rifles-to-21-but-unlikely-to-pass-in-the-senate/965901.md?page=2)