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Bill Would Raise Minimum Age To Purchase Rifles And Shotguns In New Jersey

Assemblyman Roy Freiman

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to raise the minimum age to buy rifles and shotguns in the state from 18 to 21.

Assemblyman Roy Freiman (says his bill would bring the purchase age in line with those for handguns and believes it would prevent gun violence.

“18 and 20-year-olds commit gun homicides as a rate nearly four times as high and adults 21 and older. And you look at the recent gun shootings that we’ve had across America and you look at the teens that have it, are there things that we can do?” 

Freiman says a weapon in the hands of a person with poor impulse control can be catastrophic.

He says he’s getting a lot of support for the legislation but also expects some resistance from gun rights advocates.

“Is there an opportunity without being extreme in moving the gun laws too far and yet saying wait a minute is this an opportunity for is to apply what we’re seeing in what’s going on across the country and saying can we get smarter and how can we prevent gun violence from taking place here in New Jersey.”