Two gun-control bills introduced in Congress

Bills introduced in Congress on Thursday would raise the age limit to buy a gun and give police the ability to take firearms from those who are a threat to themselves or others.

A so-called “red flag” bill, introduced in the Senate by Floridians Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson and Rhode Island’s Jack Reed, would encourage states to allow law enforcement to remove weapons from anyone who poses a threat but before court proceedings.

Florida passed a similar law after the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. A man in Lighthouse Point and other in Orlando are among the first in the state to have guns taken from them.

“I think, among the things that we could do after Parkland, one of the most effective is a gun violence restraining order,” Rubio said. “Basically the police or a family member who thinks someone is dangerous can go to court. They can get a court order, and they can take that person’s guns away and keep them from buying new ones.”

Nelson reiterated his support for universal background checks. “I hope we can continue to work together on commonsense solutions, such as requiring universal background checks and getting assault rifles off our streets,” he said.

The House bill would raise the minimum age to buy shotguns or rifles from 18 to 21. The federal minimum to buy a handgun is already 21. It does not prohibit anyone younger than 21 from having a firearm.

Law enforcement and military members would be exempt.

“Most Americans want to raise the minimum age to buy a firearm. … This legislation isn’t perfect and is only one piece of what Congress must consider. But it represents one more important bipartisan step toward our ultimate goal of comprehensive gun safety laws,” said co-sponsor Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, whose district includes Parkland.

Students at Stoneman Douglas have called for state and federal lawmakers to enact gun-control measures. A massive March for Our Lives will be held in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. South Florida rallies will be held in Parkland and Boca Raton, among other cities.