Texas House passes ban on devices that modify handguns, but averts vote on increasing age to buy semi-automatic rifles

Dozens of people hold signs and chant at a May 8 rally in the rotunda of the state Capitol to call for a vote on House Bill 2744, which seeks to raise the age requirement to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. (Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune)

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The Texas House on Thursday approved a bill that would outlaw tiny devices used to modify handguns essentially into fully automatic firearms — but avoided a full chamber vote on raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic rifles after a representative tried tacking the proposal onto the bill as an amendment.