CHARLOTTE, NC - A North Carolina representative wants to raise the age to buy a rifle from 18 to 21.
WBTV reports NC Rep. Rodney Moore has a draft bill that would raise the age to buy rifles and includes a 90-day waiting period to check the background of applicants who want the guns.
Moore (D-Mecklenburg) also wants harsher penalties for people that use rifles to commit crimes at schools, public buildings and places of worship.
Moore says he wants the state to be proactive.
“I don’t know if it will make gun violence go down, but it will send a clear message that we’re trying to protect the citizenry,” Moore said.
Moore says he doesn’t think 18-year-olds are ready to handle assault rifles and doesn’t see the need for the high-powered rifles.
"The only reason why they exist is to end human life, so I don't see where a person would need that weapon in this day and time here in North Carolina. We are not in a war zone," Moore said.
The 90-day wait would allow the sheriff's office to check each applicant's background to see if they meet the requirements. They include a person’s mental state, criminal background and not having a dishonorable discharge from the military. This would create more work for the sheriff's office.
"When you look at the public benefit and it's a public safety issue - that is well worth the extra work to keep our community safe," Moore said. "I am sure there will be some type of way to help the sheriff's department out if we get this bill passed."
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