This bill raises the minimum age to 21 for purchasing certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns, with exceptions for military members and law enforcement, and requires a report on improving the FBI's public access line for better information sharing.
Glenn Ivey
Representative
MD-4
The Raise the Age Act of 2025 prohibits licensed firearm dealers from selling certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns to individuals under 21, with exceptions for active military members and law enforcement officers. It also requires purchasers of these firearms to certify they are at least 21 or a "qualified individual". Additionally, the Act mandates a report from the FBI Director on improving information-sharing protocols for the FBI's public access line.
Bill Proposes Raising Age to 21 for Certain Semi-Auto Rifle & Shotgun Sales from Licensed Dealers
The Raise the Age Act of 2025 aims to change federal rules for firearm sales, specifically targeting certain semiautomatic long guns. If enacted, this bill would amend Title 18, United States Code, Section 922, to prohibit federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) from selling or delivering specific types of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns—namely, centerfire models capable of accepting a detachable magazine holding more than 5 rounds—to individuals under the age of 21. The bill also mandates a report from the FBI Director on the operations of its public tip line.
Locking Down Long Guns: Who Can Buy What?
This bill zeroes in on a specific category: semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns that can take magazines with over a 5-round capacity. Think AR-15 style rifles or certain semi-auto shotguns often used for sport or self-defense. Under this proposal, licensed dealers couldn't sell these particular firearms to anyone they believe is under 21.
However, there's an important exception carved out for "qualified individuals." This includes members of the Armed Forces on active duty and full-time government employees (federal, state, or local) authorized to carry firearms for their job. These individuals, even if under 21, could still purchase these specific firearms from dealers. It's crucial to note this doesn't change the existing federal rules allowing 18-year-olds to buy other types of long guns (like traditional hunting rifles or shotguns) from licensed dealers, nor does it alter the age 21 requirement for handgun purchases from dealers.
The Paper Trail: Certification and Compliance
To enforce this, the bill amends Section 922(c)(1) to add a certification step. Anyone trying to buy one of these restricted semiautomatic rifles or shotguns from a licensed dealer would need to formally certify, likely on the background check form, that they are either 21 years old or meet the definition of a "qualified individual." This puts the onus on both the buyer to attest accurately and the dealer to collect this certification.
Side Note: FBI Tip Line Review
Separately, the bill directs the FBI Director to report back to Congress within 90 days. This report needs to detail how the Bureau's public access line (the tip line) currently operates, specifically focusing on how information shared by the public gets passed along to FBI field offices. The Director is also asked to provide recommendations for improving this information-sharing process, potentially aiming for a more effective system for handling public tips related to safety concerns.