New York Passes Bill , To Raise Age for Buying , or Owning Semi-Automatic Rifles.br On June 2, New York's legislature voted br to raise the age for buying or possessing br a semi-automatic rifle to 21. .br NPR reports that the decision marks a major change br to state firearm laws that comes less than three weeks br after a deadly shooting in a Buffalo supermarket.br NPR reports that the decision marks a major change br to state firearm laws that comes less than three weeks br after a deadly shooting in a Buffalo supermarket.br The bill is part of a package of gun br control laws announced by Democratic br legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul.br Additional measures in the package include restricting civilian purchase of body armor and equipping new guns with microstamping technology to help with tracking.br Additional measures in the package include restricting civilian purchase of body armor and equipping new guns with microstamping technology to help with tracking.br The bill also requires anyone purchasing br a semi-automatic rifle to obtain a license, br which is currently only required for handguns.br The bill also requires anyone purchasing br a semi-automatic rifle to obtain a license, br which is currently only required for handguns.br It is meant to be a hassle to those br folks who might want to get their hands br quickly on something with which br they could mass murder people, Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Bronx Democrat, via NPR.br The measure would see New York join other states that require gun buyers to be at least 21, including Hawaii, Florida, Illinois and Washington.br Lawmakers in New York have also proposed legislation that would expand the list of people who can apply for an extreme risk protection order.br This court order temporarily prohibits an individual br from purchasing or possessing a firearm if they are br believed to be a threat to themselves or others. .br Even as we take action to protect New Yorkers, we recognize that this is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to seize this moment and pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures. We have no time to waste, Kathy Hochul, New York Governor, via NPR.br Even as we take action to protect New Yorkers, we recognize that this is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to seize this moment and pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures.