Joe Cunningham Calls on Legislature to Raise the Minimum Age to Purchase Rifles

Former Congressman and current Democratic candidate for governor Joe Cunningham on Wednesday called on the legislature to raise the minimum age to purchase rifles in South Carolina to 21. The current minimum age is 18. 

Cunningham has previously supported an assault weapons ban and has cosponsored and helped pass through the U.S. House federal legislation to strengthen background checks and close the Charleston loophole.

“There is no reason an 18-year-old should be able to walk into a store and purchase an assault weapon,” Cunningham said. “Gun violence in South Carolina has skyrocketed to record levels and we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to reduce that threat. While I will not stop fighting to pass common-sense gun safety measures like the ones I have supported in the past, I refuse to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Raising the age to purchase rifles like the ones that have been used in recent mass shootings is a practical solution that has broad bipartisan support: Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Chris Jacobs, and even former President Trump have voiced support for raising the age. Our kids are counting on us to do something – anything – to build a safer world for them to live in. Let’s get this done for them.”

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