Raising assault weapon age requirement is common sense

The United States has been no stranger to the tragedies of mass shootings. In recent years, many of these attacks have been carried out using assault weapons, which are capable of firing dozens rounds of ammunition in a matter of seconds.

The devastation that these weapons can cause has prompted lawmakers in Nevada to introduce Assembly Bill 355, which raises the age requirement to purchase an assault weapon from 18 to 21 — the same age an individual must be to purchase a handgun in the state. This proposed bill by Democratic Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui is a commonsense step to address gun violence in our communities.

Assault weapons are not necessary for hunting or simple self-defense. By raising the age requirement to purchase them, we can ensure that they are only in the hands of individuals who are mature and responsible enough to handle them.

The string of tragic mass shootings has brought the issue of gun violence to the forefront of the national conversation. Assault weapons have been used in many of these devastating, high-casualty attacks, including the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Pulse nightclub, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and countless others. In these attacks, the shooters were able to quickly and easily inflict harm on innocent people, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.

Nevadans have seen firsthand the devastation that assault weapons can cause. The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, the Oct. 1 shooting in 2017, was committed here using multiple assault weapons. Because of the power of these weapons, a single shooter was able to fire off over 1,000 rounds, murdering nearly 60 people and injuring more than 800.

The age requirement to purchase an assault weapon is 18 in many states, including Nevada. However, studies have shown that people between the ages of 18 and 20 are more impulsive and are more prone to risk-taking behavior. When combined with the destructive power of an assault weapon, this can create a deadly combination.

While raising the age requirement under AB355 would not wipe out gun violence or stop every murder, it could be an effective step toward reducing the number of people who are able to obtain these deadly weapons at a young age. By limiting access to these powerful firearms, we can reduce the number of individuals who carry out these senseless acts of violence. This is not a matter of taking away Second Amendment rights, but a matter of promoting responsible gun ownership.

AB355 is a necessary step to address the issue of gun violence. Recent mass shootings have demonstrated the destructive power of these weapons and the devastating impact they can have on innocent lives.

It is time for us to put the safety of our communities first and take action to prevent senseless violence.