On the anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced a bill aimed at raising the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21. This legislation, known as the Age 21 Act, is supported by Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and 17 other colleagues. The proposed age requirement aligns with existing regulations for purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers.
Senator Hirono stated, "The gun violence epidemic in our country is rampant, devastating communities and taking innocent lives." She added that this legislation is "a step in the right direction" to enhance community safety by restricting access to these weapons for individuals under 21.
Gun violence remains a significant issue in the United States, with over 46,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. Assault weapons are often used in mass shootings due to their capacity for inflicting severe harm quickly. Statistics indicate that more than 85 percent of deaths in public mass shootings involving four or more fatalities were caused by assault rifles.
The Age 21 Act seeks to impose restrictions on both federally licensed and private sellers regarding the sale of assault weapons, handguns, large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and related ammunition to those under 21. There are limited exceptions for specific circumstances such as law enforcement or military service.
In addition to Senators Hirono and Padilla, the bill's cosponsors include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Senator Hirono has been active in advocating for gun safety legislation. In January 2025, she submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court concerning a case involving Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., urging accountability for gun manufacturers' roles in illegal firearm trafficking to Mexico. In November 2023, she introduced legislation aimed at protecting domestic violence survivors from gun violence and reintroduced a federal firearm licensing act requiring licenses before purchasing firearms.