Abbott States raising the age to buy an AR-15 is ‘unconstitutional’ – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday that it would be unconstitutional to increase the minimum age to buy AR-15 style rifles from 18 to 21 years old — a key proposal Democrats and some Uvalde parents have called for after an 18-year-old gunned down many children at Robb Elementary school in May.
“It is clear that the gun control law that they are seeking in Uvalde — as much as they may want it — has already been ruled as unconstitutional,” Abbott said at a reelection campaign event in Allen.
The gunman in Uvalde bought two AR-15-style rifles days after he turned 18, the legal purchasing age in Texas, and used the weapons to kill 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary.
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Abbott States raising the age to buy an AR-15 is ‘unconstitutional’
In the aftermath of the horrific shooting, Texas Senate Democrats have asked for a special legislative session to increase the minimum age to purchase a semi-automatic rifle. Advocates call the proposal a compromise with GOP lawmakers — a three-year increase to the legal age instead of an outright ban on the style of weapon.
“Simply doing nothing is about as evil as it comes,” state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, whose district includes Uvalde, claimed in June.
Gov. Abbott at his Wednesday campaign event brought up court rulings from the past three months, including a federal court in Fort Worth on Thursday that struck down a Texas law limiting adults under 21 from carrying handguns. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman wrote that the Second Amendment does not specify limits on age.
The U.S. Supreme Court also struck down a century-old New York gun law in June that restricted concealed carry of handgun, a ruling that didn’t impact Texas. In the last 13 years, as firearms have become more accessible in the state. Democrats in Texas say this is responsible eight mass shootings that occurred during that time.
A day after the shooting in Uvalde, Abbott was asked if he would consider banning “AR-style weapons” for 18-year-olds. The governor at the time appeared hesitant.
Abbott States raising the age to buy an AR-15 is ‘unconstitutional’
“Ever since Texas has been a state, an 18-year-old has had the ability to buy a long gun, a rifle. Since that time, it seems like it’s only been in the past decade or two that we’ve had school shootings. For a century and a half, 18-year-olds could buy rifles and we didn’t have school shootings. But we do,” Abbott said. “Maybe we’re focusing our attention on the wrong thing.”
What are YOUR thoughts? Should the 2nd Amendment stand as is or should we add restrictions on gun ownership throughout the country? Comment below.

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