Raise the Age Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2368

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-01T08:08:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Raise the Age Act of 2025" aims to increase the minimum age for purchasing certain types of semiautomatic firearms from 18 to 21 years old. It targets semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns that can hold more than 5 rounds of ammunition, with exceptions for active military members and full-time law enforcement officers. The bill also requires a report on improving the FBI's public access line for background checks.

Key Provisions

• Age Restrictions on Sales: Federal firearms licensees (like gun dealers) cannot sell or deliver semiautomatic centerfire rifles or shotguns—with ammunition feeding devices (such as magazines or belts) that hold more than 5 rounds—to anyone under 21, unless the buyer is a "qualified individual."
• Exceptions for Qualified Individuals:
• Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Full-time law enforcement officers (or similar employees of federal, state, or local governments) who are authorized to carry a firearm as part of their job.
• Other Firearm Rules:
• Handguns and their ammunition remain restricted to those 21 and older.
• Non-semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and their ammunition can still be sold to those 18 and older.
• Buyer Statements: Gun buyers must affirm their age and status in writing during purchases, adjusted to match the new rules.
• Definitions:
• Ammunition feeding device: Any magazine, belt, drum, or similar item that loads bullets into a firearm (excludes certain tube devices for .22 caliber rimfire ammo).
• Qualified individual: As defined above, limited to military and law enforcement personnel.
• FBI Reporting Requirement: Within 90 days of enactment, the FBI Director must submit a report to congressional Judiciary Committees on the operations of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) public access line. The report must cover:
• Current protocols for sharing information between the access line and FBI field offices.
• Recommendations to improve information-sharing efficiency.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Under current federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922), the minimum age for buying rifles and shotguns is 18, while handguns require buyers to be 21. This bill amends § 922(b)(1) to raise the age to 21 specifically for semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns capable of accepting more than 5 rounds, creating a new subcategory of restricted long guns.
• It also updates § 922(c)(1) to require buyers to certify their eligibility, including the new 21-year-old threshold for the specified firearms.
• Adds new definitions to § 921(a) for "qualified individual" and "ammunition feeding device," which did not previously exist in this context.
• Introduces a standalone requirement for an FBI report on NICS operations, which is not part of current law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The FBI will need to update background check processes and produce the required report, potentially leading to improved efficiency in information-sharing. Firearms licensees must verify buyer age and status more stringently, which could increase administrative burdens.
• On Citizens: Individuals aged 18-20 will be unable to buy the specified semiautomatic rifles or shotguns from licensed dealers, potentially limiting access to these firearms for hunting, sport, or self-defense. Exceptions ensure military and law enforcement personnel under 21 can still obtain them for official duties. Private sales (not involving licensees) are unaffected.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic firearm sales.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Firearms Licensees (Gun Dealers): Must comply with new age verification rules, facing penalties for violations.
• Young Adults (Ages 18-20): Restricted from purchasing certain semiautomatic firearms, affecting an estimated group interested in rifles for recreation or protection.
• Active Duty Military and Law Enforcement Officers: Exempted, allowing under-21 personnel to acquire needed firearms without interruption.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Responsible for the NICS public access line report and any resulting procedural changes.
• Congressional Committees: Judiciary Committees in the House and Senate will receive and review the FBI report, potentially influencing future gun control policies.
• Gun Rights and Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the NRA or gun control advocates may support or oppose based on broader debates over youth access to firearms.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill could lead to enforcement challenges, as licensees must use "reasonable cause" to determine a buyer's age or status, potentially increasing lawsuits over mistaken denials. It builds on existing Gun Control Act framework but narrows exceptions, which might require ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) guidance for implementation.
• Constitutional Implications: Raises potential Second Amendment concerns, as courts (e.g., in recent Supreme Court cases like Bruen) scrutinize age-based restrictions on firearm rights. Critics might argue it infringes on law-abiding young adults' rights, while supporters could cite public safety precedents for age limits.
• Political Implications: Introduced by a large bipartisan group of House Democrats (with some cross-party mentions), it reflects ongoing debates on gun violence prevention, especially after mass shootings involving young perpetrators. Passage could signal momentum for incremental gun reforms but faces likely opposition in a divided Congress, potentially stalling in committee.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

Cosponsors (170)

Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Hoyer, Steny H. [D-MD-5], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26] and 120 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Raise the Age Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (5 pages)