DPS Director Steven McCraw Abandons Fight to Ban 18-to-20-year-olds from Purchasing Handguns – Gutierrez responds

San Antonio, Texas – As reported by The Texas Tribune, “Texas will no longer fight to ban 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns in public. A judge ruled earlier this year that a state law banning the practice was unconstitutional, and Texas initially filed a notice that it would appeal. But Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Director Steven McCraw withdrew the appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week.” [December 21, 2022]

  “Texans agree – we need to raise the age to buy a rifle to 21, matching existing state law on handguns. Instead, DPS Director McCraw’s decision to stop defending Texas law will allow young shooters to legally purchase all firearms. We know the Uvalde shooter attempted to purchase a rifle before the age 18, and we know most school shooters are between the ages of 12 and 19,” said Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez. “DPS Director McCraw, AG Paxton, and Gov. Abbott have surrendered to far-right extremists. Make no mistake, DPS Troopers and every Texas first responder will be in more danger today than the day of the Uvalde shooting.”

The article from the Texas Tribune states:

  “A federal judge ruled earlier this year that a state law banning young adults from publicly carrying handguns is unconstitutional. The state no longer plans to appeal that ruling.

Texas will no longer fight to ban 18- to 20-year-olds from carrying handguns in public. A judge ruled earlier this year that a state law banning the practice was unconstitutional, and Texas initially filed a notice that it would appeal. But Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw withdrew the appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week.”