Commentary: Our youths don’t need access to assault weapons. Let’s put politics aside

Despite one’s position on gun control, or their political party affiliation, I hope most will agree that anyone under 21 years of age should not have access to assault weapons or high-capacity ammunition magazines.

There are many that state, if you can vote, join the military, and essentially die for your country, you should not be precluded from purchasing these weapons. As someone who served in the military for nine years, part of me understands why someone would take that position.

However, I must balance that inclination with what I saw in the military, working with young troops, what I have seen educating our youths and what researchers and medical experts say about brain development and maturity.