New York approved the law banning semi-automatic weapons of “mass murderers” to minors under 21 years of age

NEW YORK. The New York Legislative Assembly passed a law banning children under 21 from purchasing and possessing semi-automatic firearms like the one used less than three weeks ago by the 18-year-old who killed 10 people in a Buffalo supermarket. The state thus tightens laws that prohibit children under 21 from possessing guns. Furthermore, the law stipulates that a license is required to purchase semi-automatic weapons, so far only required for pistols.

To the protests of the Republicans, who accuse the measures of violating the rights enshrined in the second amendment, the Democrats replied that in this way they could try to stop “those who want to quickly get their hands on something they can use for mass murder”, referring to the fact that semi-automatic rifles are the favorite weapons of American mass murderers.

The law will have an impact especially outside New York City, where a permit is required to own any type of weapon and cannot be requested by anyone under the age of 21. But in other parts of the state even 16-year-olds can currently own long-barreled shotguns. Republican Alexis Weik said the law was useless because an 18-year-old could go and buy weapons in another state. “So you are asking for a federal gun control law? Because that’s what we need, ”said Democrat Kevin Thomas, one of the sponsors of the new law.