[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 86 (Thursday, May 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2623-S2624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Casey, and 
        Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 4278. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit 
the purchase of certain firearms by individuals under 21 years of age, 
and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing legislation 
that would help ensure that an important safety provision in place for 
handguns will also apply to assault rifles.
  Under current law, a firearms licensee may not sell or deliver a 
handgun to a buyer under the age of 21. However, this common-sense 
protection does not apply to assault rifle purchases. This loophole 
costs lives.
  Earlier this week in Buffalo, we saw the effects of allowing a young 
adult under the age of 21 to legally buy assault weapons. Tragic 
events, like the massacre in Buffalo, have become far too common in our 
country.
  Last year, our Nation suffered from nearly 700 mass shootings, and 
this year, our country has already seen more than 200 mass shootings. 
And it is still only May. On average, more than one mass shooting every 
day.
  Congress must do something to stop these incidents.
  According to Everytown, people aged 18 to 20 commit 18 percent of all 
gun homicides in the United States, despite being only 4 percent of the 
total U.S. population.
  So it makes sense that laws on books restrict individuals under the 
age of 21

[[Page S2624]]

to purchase a handgun. But the law doesn't apply to assault rifles.
  It is simple logic: If you can't buy a beer, you should not be able 
to buy an assault weapon.
  I urge my Republican colleagues to consider supporting this 
commonsense legislation that has wide public support. A recent poll 
conducted by POLITICO showed that 88 percent of Democrats and 68 
percent of Republicans support requiring people to be 21 or older to 
purchase a firearm.
  The Age 21 Act is a first step in the right direction. It is time for 
Congress to show the American public that we are taking action on an 
issue that touches the lives of millions of people every year.
  I thank Senators Blumenthal, Casey, and Klobuchar for their support 
and urge the rest of my colleagues to support the bill as well.
                                 ______