Raising The Age To Save Lives: The Fight For Gun Safety In Texas.

On May 24, 2022, a tragic event unfolded at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, when an 18-year-old armed with a semiautomatic rifle took the lives of 19 students and two teachers. This devastating act occurred just eight days after the individual turned 18 and was legally able to purchase the weapon. The horrific event has since sparked a renewed call for legislative action to raise the legal age for purchasing semiautomatic rifles in Texas.

During the last Texas legislative session, families of the victims fought tirelessly in support of House Bill 2744, a proposal that would have raised the minimum age to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21. Although six Democrats and two Republicans on the House Select Committee on Community Safety voted to advance the bill, it was never brought to a vote. As the 89th legislative session continues, the families of the victims, along with advocacy groups, are intensifying their efforts to push for a change in the law.

One of the leading voices in the fight for this change is Nicole Golden, Executive Director of Texas Gun Sense, an organization dedicated to promoting gun safety. Golden expressed her dedication to the cause, stating, “It is an honor to partner with Lives Robbed to advocate for legislation to raise the age to 21 to purchase semiautomatic rifles—a policy that is supported by the majority of Texans. Our organization and coalition are committed to standing alongside the survivors in Uvalde for as long as it takes to enact real solutions to prevent another tragedy like this, and to make sure lawmakers and the public never forget.”

For the current legislative session, the primary bill being advocated for is House Bill 1556, also known as the #21FOR21 Raise the Age bill. Introduced by Rep. Moody, who was a strong supporter of the previous bill (HB2744), this bill aims to raise the legal age to purchase semiautomatic rifles to 21. Rep. Moody was also a member of the Robb Elementary Investigative Committee and the House Select Committee on Community Safety, both of which played roles in advancing this initiative.

On their website, Lives Robbed summarizes that in Texas, the statistics on gun violence highlight a growing need for stronger policies and legislative action due to:

• 85% of Texans support raising the legal age to purchase AR-15 style assault rifles from 18 to 21. This reflects widespread public concern over the accessibility of these weapons, especially to young adults.
• 66% of the nine deadliest mass shootings since 2018 were committed by shooters aged 21 or younger. This raises questions about the age at which individuals should be allowed to legally purchase weapons capable of mass destruction.
• 44% of firearm homicides in 2020 were committed by individuals aged 12-24. This data highlights the alarming involvement of young people in gun-related violence, pointing to a need for preventative measures targeting this age group.
• 58% of youth suicides involving personal firearms in Texas were carried out using rifles or shotguns. This statistic underscores the tragic role of firearms in youth suicides, a critical issue in addressing mental health and gun safety.

The call to “Raise the Age. Save Lives.” has gained strong support, with 85% of Texans backing the legislation. As the 89th legislative session continues, survivors, families, and advocates remain hopeful that lawmakers will act to prevent future tragedies. The statistics on mass shootings, homicides, and youth suicides involving firearms highlight the urgent need for stronger gun safety policies. 

For more information on gun violence in Texas, visit the RA News Gun Violence Watch page.