YourVoice.Now Summary
Gun LawsRaises to 21 the age to buy or keep handguns, AR-15-style rifles, and magazines over 10 rounds.
Gun Laws
Federal law today sets 21 as the buying age for handguns at a licensed dealer, but 18 for most rifles. This bill would set 21 for semiautomatic rifles too, whether you buy from a store or a private seller.
The current possession ban stops at age 18. This bill raises it to 21, so an 18-to-20-year-old who holds one of these guns would be breaking federal law.
The limit is any magazine, drum, or belt holding more than 10 rounds, except .22 rimfire tubes. Dealers and private sellers both would have to turn away buyers under 21.
The ban reaches ammunition that fits only a handgun or an assault-style gun. Rounds that also work in ordinary hunting rifles or shotguns are left out.
The bill writes more than 100 gun models into federal law, including all AR-15 and AK-47 types. It also catches copies and look-alikes of those guns.
Devices that make a semiautomatic rifle fire faster, such as bump stocks, would count as assault weapons. That puts them out of reach for anyone under 21.
An 18-to-20-year-old could still use these guns for work, farming, ranching, hunting, target practice, or a safety class. A parent or guardian must sign a consent form, and the young person must carry it at all times.
An 18-to-20-year-old in the Armed Forces or the National Guard could carry these guns on duty. The exemption applies only in the line of duty.
If someone breaks into the home, a person under 21 could use one of these guns to defend themselves or others. This also applies when they are an invited guest in another person's home.
More about this bill
If you are 18, 19, or 20, you could no longer buy or keep most handguns and assault-style rifles. The same age limit of 21 would apply to magazines holding more than 10 rounds. It would also reach ammunition made only for those guns. Today, federal law sets 21 for handgun sales at a licensed dealer but 18 for rifles. The new rule would cover private sales, not just gun stores. The bill spells out what counts. It names more than 100 rifle, pistol, and shotgun models in federal law, including all AR-15 and AK-47 types. It also catches copies and look-alikes. Beyond the list, any semiautomatic rifle with a detachable magazine and one added feature counts. Those features include a pistol grip, a folding stock, or a threaded barrel. Parts that make a rifle fire faster, such as bump stocks, count as well. There are ways for people under 21 to still use these guns. Work, farming, ranching, hunting, target practice, and safety classes are allowed. A parent or guardian must sign written consent, and the young person must carry it at all times. Service members and National Guard troops are exempt while on duty. So is anyone under 21 who uses a gun against an intruder at home. Breaking the rules would be a federal crime. The penalties that now apply to gun offenses by minors would extend to 18-to-20-year-olds. The changes would start as soon as the bill became law.
Congressional Summary
Age 21 Act This bill raises the minimum age to purchase a large capacity ammunition feeding device or semiautomatic assault weapon from 18 to 21 years of age.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-02-13
- Date Added
- 2026-03-30
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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