Texas Gun Law Unlikely to Change in Current Legislative Session
Following another devastating mass shooting in Texas, a bill proposing an increase in the minimum age for purchasing assault-style weapons unexpectedly made progress in the Texas House this week.
However, its advancement was short-lived.
Alejandro Serrano, a reporter from the Texas Tribune, shed light on the developments in an interview on Good Day.
As the legislative session nears its end, the chances of the bill resurfacing are slim.
The emotional impact of witnessing the families of shooting victims pushing for the age restriction change was palpable.
The bill aimed to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault-style weapons from 18 to 21, and when two Republican lawmakers joined forces to support it, there was a sense of elation.
Nevertheless, the bill failed to gain significant traction beyond that point.
The week started with a surge of emotions when families and gun reform activists filled the Capitol even before the legislature convened.
The select committee assigned to review the bill unexpectedly called for a vote, sparking moments of joy.
However, less than 24 hours later, a crucial deadline passed, significantly reducing the likelihood of the bill becoming law.
Although lawmakers still have other avenues to pursue the issue, Representative Joe Moody’s attempt to revive the proposal through an amendment attached to another bill also failed due to a raised point of order.
The prevailing sentiment among lawmakers is mixed.
While opposition to firearm restrictions remains strong among some, there has been a notable change with two Republicans joining Democrats on the select committee to advance the bill.
One Republican representative from the Dallas area acknowledged that passing a law would not entirely solve the country’s gun violence issue but believed that a slight change in phrasing to regulate the purchase of certain semiautomatics could be helpful.
Another state representative, following the recent shooting in Allen, expressed readiness to engage in conversations about the issue.
However, time is running out in the legislative session, making progress unlikely.
Yesterday marked another key deadline for the House vote, and although representatives can still explore different tactics, such as adding amendments to Senate bills, there is limited time remaining.
Even if the bill manages to clear the Senate and obtain the governor’s signature, its journey to becoming law remains challenging.
The Texas Tribune reporter Alejandro Serrano’s insights on the matter can be followed through the provided link on FOX FOUR NEWS DOT COM as the legislative session reaches its conclusion.
