FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Safety Committee Approves HB 2744 to Raise the Age

Today, the Community Safety Committee passed HB 2744 with bipartisan support to raise the age to 21 to purchase semi-automatic rifles like that used to murder 19 children and two educators last May. This represents an unprecedented victory for the gun safety movement in Texas. 

“Because of the unwavering pressure of advocates and survivors across the state, today we advanced historic gun safety progress,” said Nicole Golden, Texas Gun Sense Executive Director. “This morning we chanted in the halls of the Capitol, and this afternoon we watched the Community Safety Committee, including two Republicans, approve HB 2744 with an 8-5 vote as the room sobbed. In my ten years of gun safety advocacy, I have not seen anything like this. We never gave up – and it worked.” 

The Calendars Committee will need to schedule HB 2744 for a vote on the House floor by Tuesday, May 9th. Advocates are now contacting members of the Calendars Committee asking them to immediately set the bill on the House calendar. 

Texas Gun Sense advocates to prevent gun violence and other gun tragedies through education, partnerships, and policy change. Learn more at txgunsense.org. 

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