Washington, Feb 22 (IANS): The US' National Rifle Association (NRA) has rejected ideas to raise the minimum age for purchasing rifles, the media reported.

The idea of keeping people younger than 21 from buying rifles including AR-15 style firearms has been proposed, including in a bill that will be introduced in the Senate, reports CNN.

NRA Public Affairs Director Jennifer Baker said in a statement in Wednesday: "Federal Law prohibits adults under the age of 21 from purchasing a handgun from a licensed firearm dealer. Legislative proposals that prevent law-abiding adults aged 18-20 years old from acquiring rifles and shotguns effectively prohibits them for purchasing any firearm, thus depriving them of their constitutional right to self-protection.

"We need serious proposals to prevent violent criminals and the dangerously mentally ill from acquiring firearms. Passing a law that makes it illegal for a 20 year-old to purchase a shotgun for hunting or an adult single mother from purchasing the most effective self-defence rifle on the market punishes law-abiding citizens for the evil acts of criminals."

Baker added that "the NRA supports efforts to prevent those who are a danger to themselves or others from getting access to firearms.

"At the same time, we will continue to oppose gun control measures that only serve to punish law-abiding citizens. These are not mutually exclusive or unachievable goals."

Following the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, youngsters across the country have called on lawmakers for tougher gun laws to avoid any other such massacres.

Former student Nikolas Cruz gunned down 17 people -- 14 students, three teachers -- at the school on February 14.