A top-ranking Republican senator is not convinced a bill to raise the age limit to buy certain guns can pass.
Sen. John Cornyn is speculating such a bill wouldn't be able to garner the 60 votes needed to pass the upper chamber. Instead, he voiced support for his own bill, which would improve the federal background check system.
He also suggested President Donald Trump's push for the restriction was an emotional response to the recent school shooting in Florida. He said raising the age to buy a rifle to 21 doesn't get to the "root of the problem" and may not "save lives."
Federal law prohibits a licensed gun dealer to sell any gun to a minor or a handgun to someone under 21. But those laws don't apply to in-state private sales, which don't require a background check, either.
