WASHINGTON, DC (1080 KRLD) - A North Texas congresswoman has introduced a bill in Congress aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of those who commit violent crimes at a young age.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne has introduced the Disarming Felons Act, which would prohibit those who commit violent crimes between the ages of 15 and 17 from purchasing firearms.
"What we have found is a propensity for gang and cartel members to use teenagers to commit some amazingly violent acts," the former mayor of Irving tells KRLD. "Because they know once they hit 18, typically, their records are expunged."
Under Van Duyne's bill, those records would no longer be expunged.
"What this is doing is trying to keep guns out of the hands of people who have already proven that they are willing to commit violent crimes," says Van Duyne. "This means extending to 15, 16 and 17-year-olds, that if they do have a violent crime on their record, it will not be expunged when they hit 18; meaning that in the future, they will not be able to purchase weapons."
Van Duyne says she's working to drum up bipartisan support for her bill.
"I have had a number of my Democratic colleagues speak publicly about their desire to decrease gun violence," Van Duyne says, "and I think this is a great start."
Van Duyne says none of her colleagues from either party have spoken out against the bill.
The Texas Municipal Police Association has spoken out in favor of the bill.
"We are proud to support Rep. Van Duyne's Disarming Felons Act," the group says in a statement. "This bill would protect Americans' second amendment rights while also keeping guns out of the hands of violent offenders."
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