Oct 9, 2024
Emergency Management
Moskowitz Introduces Legislation to Raise Age to Purchase a Semiautomatic Firearm to 25 Years Old
Since 2020, the overwhelming majority of gun violence and mass shootings have been carried out by individuals under 25 years old Moskowitz has a track record of passing gun violence prevention measures. In response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, he led the passage of gun violence prevention legislation in Florida – one of the most pro-gun states in the country
May 10, 2023
Gun Violence Prevention
Press
Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) announced he has introduced legislation raising the Federal age to buy a semiautomatic firearm from 18 to 25. According to reports from law enforcement officials, researchers, and policy experts, individuals aged roughly 15-25 represent the age at the most risk of becoming a mass shooter because of the intense developmental changes and societal pressures that can turn them violent.
In addition, some of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States since 2018 were committed by people 21 or younger. Overall, boys and young men account for half of all homicides involving guns, or any other weapon, nationwide. Exactly 50 percent of all killings in 2020, the last year comprehensive data is available, were committed by assailants under 30, according to the F.B.I.’s uniform crime data tracking system.
“Our communities are plagued by gun violence. What will it take to protect our children? We can’t continue to needlessly endure heartbreak after heartbreak as our public places become targets of violence,” said Moskowitz. “We no longer need moments of silence; we need moments of action. I refuse to think that nothing can get done.”
After the mass shooting at his alma mater Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Moskowitz championed what became the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, the most comprehensive gun violence prevention, school safety, and mental health bill ever passed in Florida. Moskowitz worked with the families of the victims and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to enact historic gun violence prevention legislation, raising the age to buy guns from 18 to 21 and putting in place “red flag laws,” giving law enforcement the power to take away firearms from those too dangerous to possess them responsibly. The legislation also provided millions for mental health counselors and school resource officers in every high school.
Now as a member of Congress and a Vice-Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Moskowitz continues his efforts to deliver on the passage of substantive gun violence prevention legislation at the Federal level.