Florida Republicans Look To Roll Back Gun Purchase Age Restrictions

Florida Republicans are advancing legislation to lower the gun purchase age from 21 to 18, potentially overturning a key measure enacted after the tragic Parkland school shooting that claimed 17 lives in 2018.

Key Insights

Florida Republicans, led by Rep. Michelle Salzman, argue that 18-year-olds should have full Second Amendment rights as legal adults.
The current age restriction was implemented in 2018 following intense lobbying by Parkland shooting survivors and victims’ families.
The National Rifle Association has an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the 21-year age requirement.
The bill passed its first House committee with a 13-5 vote along party lines but faces resistance in the state Senate.
Governor Ron DeSantis supports lowering the age, arguing that 18-year-olds serving in the military should be able to purchase firearms.
The bill would set the gun purchase age at 18 for long guns, but federal law keeps the minimum for handgun purchases at 21.

Push to Restore Gun Rights for Young Adults

Republican lawmakers in Florida are making a renewed push to lower the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 21 to 18. The legislation, sponsored by state Representative Michelle Salzman, aims to reverse restrictions implemented after the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The bill has already cleared its first committee stage in the House with a 13-5 vote along party lines, signaling strong Republican support for restoring what they view as constitutional rights for young adults.

Supporters of the bill argue that at 18, citizens are considered legal adults who can vote, serve in the military, and take on other significant responsibilities. Rep. Salzman, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized that the legislation’s purpose is ensuring that “all adult citizens in Florida are afforded their full Second Amendment rights.”

Florida lawmakers are pushing to lower the state's gun-buying age from 21 to 18, reigniting a debate over gun rights and public safety years after the law was enacted in response to the Parkland school shooting.

https://t.co/b3Ldc1t5n7

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) March 14, 2025

Post-Parkland Restrictions Under Scrutiny

The current age restriction was enacted in 2018 following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz legally purchased the weapon he used to kill 17 people. The tragedy prompted a rare moment of bipartisan action on gun safety in Florida, with then-Republican Governor Rick Scott signing legislation that raised the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21, among other safety measures.

The National Rifle Association immediately filed a legal challenge to the age restriction, arguing it violates the Second Amendment rights of young adults. That lawsuit remains ongoing in federal court. The current legislative effort to reverse the age restriction aligns with the NRA’s position and has received support from other gun rights organizations, including Gun Owners of America, who testified at the recent committee hearing.

Political Support and Opposition

Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for lowering the age requirement, particularly citing the paradox faced by young military service members. “They come home and they can’t even buy a rifle to go hunt,” DeSantis noted, highlighting what proponents see as an inconsistency in current law. Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez has also backed the measure, reinforcing the Republican leadership’s commitment to expanding gun rights in the state.

The proposal faces significant opposition from Democrats and gun safety advocates, particularly those connected to the Parkland tragedy. Democratic Representative Robin Bartleman has criticized the bill as disrespectful to the families who advocated for the current restrictions. Additionally, the legislation may encounter hurdles in the state Senate, where similar proposals have previously failed. Senate President Ben Albritton has indicated he’s still considering the issue, stating, “I’m thinking through that.”

Legal Context and Future Implications

While the Florida bill focuses on allowing 18-year-olds to purchase long guns, federal law still restricts handgun purchases to those 21 and older. However, a recent U.S. appeals court ruling found the federal age restriction on handgun purchases unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, potentially setting the stage for broader changes to age-based gun restrictions. If passed, Florida’s legislation would represent a significant reversal of one of the most visible policy changes implemented after the Parkland shooting.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between gun rights and public safety concerns in Florida and across the nation. For supporters, the bill represents a restoration of constitutional rights for young adults. For opponents, it risks undermining hard-won safety measures designed to prevent similar incidents in the future. As the legislation progresses through committees, both sides continue to make their cases regarding the appropriate balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety considerations.