Texas House Panel Advances Bill , to Raise Age for Buying Semi-Automatic Guns.<br />The new measure was approved in an 8-5 vote by the Select Committee on Community Safety on May 8.<br />Two Republicans supported the Democratic bill.<br />The committee's approval comes <br />after nine people were shot and killed <br />at a mall in Dallas over the weekend.<br />If enacted, the legislation would change the <br />minimum age for buying a semi-automatic rifle that is <br />more than a .22 caliber with a detachable magazine. .<br />Purchasers would have to be 21 instead of 18.<br />The bill must still make it through <br />the House, where it will likely face <br />opposition from the Republican majority. .<br />The Senate and Governor's Mansion <br />are also controlled by Republicans. .<br />Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement after the recent mall shooting, saying the "root cause" of gun violence is mental health.<br />There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of anger and violence that’s taking place in America, Gov. Greg Abbott, via statement.<br />People want a quick solution. <br />The long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue, Gov. Greg Abbott, via statement
