Florida Republicans Push to Lower Gun-Buying Age to 18

Gun rights advocates are gaining momentum in their effort to overturn Florida's law prohibiting firearm purchases by individuals under 21, a restriction enacted following the 2018 Parkland school shooting. With new Republican leadership in the state Capitol, lawmakers are advancing legislation that would restore "full Second Amendment rights" to all Florida adults, as described by Representative Michelle Salzman, the bill's sponsor.

Background on the Current Law

The existing age restriction was passed in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, where 17 people lost their lives. The shooting was perpetrated by a 19-year-old former student who had legally purchased firearms under Florida's previous laws.

In an unprecedented lobbying campaign, survivors and victims' families converged on the state Capitol during the legislative session to demand action. Their efforts resulted in then-Governor Rick Scott signing a package of gun safety measures, including raising the minimum age for gun purchases from 18 to 21.

The National Rifle Association immediately challenged the law in federal court, where the case continues today.

Political Support for Change

The initiative to lower the gun-buying age has gained significant backing from key Republican leaders:

• House Speaker Daniel Perez has expressed support for the measure
• Governor Ron DeSantis argues that if 18-year-olds can serve in the military, they should have gun ownership rights, noting: "They come home and they can't even buy a rifle to go hunt. Are you an adult or not?"

The state Senate has historically resisted such changes. New Senate President Ben Albritton, who has opposed rolling back other gun restrictions, indicated he's considering the proposal: "I'm thinking through that. Certainly the most important thing that I don't want to do is make a mistake."

Opposition and Concerns

Critics of the proposed change point to the Parkland tragedy's lasting impact on Florida schools and the activism it inspired.

"Have we forgotten the pain of Parkland?" asked Fiona Shannon from the League of Women Voters Seminole County during testimony against the bill.

Representative Robin Bartleman, who served as a school board member in Parkland's county when the shooting occurred, called the proposal "a slap in the face" to families who advocated for the current law, adding: "We owe it to these families not to go backwards. We can't do this. It's wrong."

Legislative Status and Implications

For the past two sessions, similar bills passed the full House but stalled in the Senate, where former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo considered lowering the age a "non-starter." Now, legislators in both chambers have filed bills to reduce the minimum age to 18.

If passed, the legislation would allow Floridians 18 and older to purchase long guns such as rifles or shotguns, both from federally licensed dealers and in private sales. Federal law would still prohibit those under 21 from buying handguns from licensed dealers, though a U.S. appeals court ruled against this federal restriction in January, finding it violated Second Amendment rights.