21 FOR 21
Raise the legal age to purchase a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21 years old.
On May 24, 2022, an 18-year-old, armed with a semiautomatic rifle, murdered 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary in Uvalde - eight days after reaching the legal age to purchase the weapon in Texas.
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During the last Texas legislative session, families of the victims fought tirelessly in support of House Bill 2744, which would have raised the age to purchase to 21 years of age. Six Democrats and two Republicans on the House Select Committee on Community Safety voted to advance the bill but it was never brought to a vote. The families continue to fight to save lives during the 89th legislative session.
Raise the Age. Save lives.
House Bill 1556
For the 89th legislative session, the #21FOR21 Raise the Age bill we support is HB1556. The bill was introduced by Rep. Moody. Rep. Moody was a strong supporter of last session's bill (HB2744) and tried to raise the age through an amendment to the bill that would have banned glock switches. Rep. Moody was part of the Robb Elementary Investigative Committee and was on the House Select Committee on Community Safety that voted the bill out of committee.
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Other Raise the Age bills have also been filed by Rep. Ann Johnson (HB313), Rep. Goodwin (HB384), Rep. Reynolds (HB579) and Rep. Morales Shaw (HB1150).
89th Legislative Session Updates
HB 1556 has been introduced but not yet assigned to a committee.
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Rep. Dustin Burrows (R) is Speaker of the House.
Historically​, gun bills are assigned to the Public Safety committee. The Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs committee is chaired by Rep. Cole Hefner (R) and vice-chaired by Rep. Ray Lopez (D).
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In the Senate, there are multiple pieces of common-sense gun legislation filed (including and assault weapons ban).
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Raise the Age Fast Facts
85%
of Texans support raising the age to purchase AR-15-style assault rifles from 18 to 21.
66%
Since 2018, six of the nine deadliest mass shootings were by people 21 or younger.
44%
In 2020, 44% of firearm homicides were committed by individuals 12-24 years old.
58%
When youth under 21 died by suicide using their own guns, 58% used rifles or shotguns.
Sign the Petition
Please sign our petition and tell Texas lawmakers you're one of the 85% of Texans who agree - it's time to Raise the Age.
After the 2019 shooting in El Paso, Texas Rep. Lina Ortega introduced a bill during the next legislative session (HB231) that would have raised the legal age to 21 for purchasing an assault weapon. Rep Ortega's bill died in committee. If that bill had passed in 2021, the Robb Elementary shooter would not have been legally able to buy the assault weapon he used to kill 19 children and two teachers.
Last session, Uvalde families fought tirelessly in support of HB2744, which would have raised the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles to 21. After months of the families advocating for the bill in Austin, the Texas House committee (with all 6 Democrats and 2 Republicans in favor) voted to advance the bill. Unfortunately, Speaker Phelan ran out the time for the full House to vote on the proposal, cowering behind administrative rules instead of allowing the floor to vote.
