Texas House committee unexpectedly approves bill raising minimum age to purchase assault rifles to 21 but Republican-controlled legislature stalls legislation

A Texas House committee voted to advance a bill raising the minimum age to purchase assault rifles from 18 to 21 in a surprise move but the bill is unlikely to become law due to opposition from Republicans who control the state legislature.
The bill came in response to calls from families of victims of mass shootings, including the Robb Elementary School shooting, but faces strong opposition from gun rights groups and Gov. Greg Abbott.
Two Republicans joined Democrats on the committee to advance the bill in an 8-5 vote but Republican leaders in the legislature have shown little appetite for tightening gun restrictions.
The bill must still pass the full Texas House and Senate, both controlled by Republicans, and be signed by Abbott to become law, which is unlikely given long-standing GOP opposition to gun control measures.
There have been 19 mass shootings in Texas already this year but almost any attempts to tighten gun laws in the state remain off the table under Republican control.