New York Passes Bill Banning People Under 21 From Being Able To Buy Or Own Semi-Automatic Rifles

New York has passed a bill banning people under the age of 21 from being able to purchase or own a semi-automatic rifle.

As the number of mass shootings and gun violence-related incidents continues to rise in the country, the state of New York is implementing new laws to acknowledge and alleviate the issue. On Thursday, New York passed legislation that makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to own or buy a semi-automatic rifle, NBC New York reports.

The move comes after an 18-year-old alleged white supremacist gunned down ten people and injured three others in a Buffalo, New York grocery store. The majority of the victims were Black, and the grocery store was the only Black-ran grocery store in Buffalo, NPR reports.

Additionally, the new law will require people who want to purchase a semi-automatic to also be licensed, which was only required for handguns.

While this bill bans the purchase and ownership of a semi-automatic rifle for people under the age of 21, there’s still a gap left for people to buy and own other rifles and shotguns.