Dems introducing bill to raise minimum age to buy assault-style weapons

House Democrats are planning to introduce a bill to raise the minimum age required for purchasing assault-style weapons, according to a Politico report.

Rep. Anthony Brown (D-Md.) on Wednesday is expected to introduce the bipartisan legislation, Politico reported. The bill would prevent anyone younger than 21 from buying semi-automatic rifles, though it makes exceptions for some police officers and active-duty military.

{mosads}The legislation comes as House Democrats have said that they want to make gun control a priority in the new Congress.

Brown told Politico that he would prefer a complete ban on assault rifles but said he got the idea to increase the minimum age from President Trump.

Following a mass shooting that left 17 dead at a school in Parkland, Fla., last year, Trump said he supported raising the minimum age to purchase certain firearms to 21.

Brown’s legislation to do that is backed by three Republicans: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Brian Mast (Fla.) and Pete King (N.Y.).

Brown told Politico that he believes the bill would have a chance to pass the Republican-controlled Senate.

“I believe that there is a majority in the Senate that would view this as very reasonable to raise the age on assault weapons,” he said.

Fitzpatrick, in a statement to Politico, urged other members of his party to support the bill, which he called a “common-sense measure.”

“By raising the age restrictions for military-style semiautomatic weapons, this bipartisan bill provides parity with handgun purchases,” Fitzpatrick said. “While continuing to support Second Amendment rights, this Congress can take meaningful action to protect our children and keep our communities safe.”