Bill To Raise Minnesota’s Assault Weapon Minimum Age To Be Introduced March 8

In the wake of several national incidents involving school-age children and assault weapons, a Minnesota lawmaker is set to introduce a new bill to raise the minimum age to possess a semi-automatic military-style assault weapon.  Senator Ron Latz - who represents Minnesota's District 46 - will introduce the legislation at an event scheduled for 1:45 PM, Thursday, March 8 in the Minnesota State Capitol Building.

The legislation would raise the age for possession from 18 to 21.  Exceptions would be made for members of the armed forces, peace officers, honorably-discharged members of the armed forces, and those under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.

According to Latz:

"You can't buy alcohol until you're 21 and in many cities now you can't buy cigarettes until you're 21.You're not even allowed to buy or possess pistols until you're 21-years-old. Assault weapons are far more dangerous than all of these. It's time to raise this age to 21, too."

The legislation is being assisted by Protect Minnesota - an independent state-based organization devoted to gun violence prevention in Minnesota. The organization's website claims that the organization is not anti-gun but rather anti-gun violence.  Their aim is to make gun ownership safer.