- Bill would reverse 2018 law enacted after Parkland's 17 fatalities
- Governor DeSantis argues military service merits gun rights
- Opponents decry 'slap to Parkland families' as court battles continue
- Federal appeals court recently struck similar federal age restriction
- Senate remains key hurdle despite House leadership support
Five years after Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting transformed Florida's gun laws, state Republicans are mounting their strongest effort yet to roll back the prohibition on firearm purchases by adults under 21. The controversial proposal has cleared its first legislative hurdle, reigniting tensions between Second Amendment purists and gun control advocates in a state still scarred by one of America's deadliest school massacres.
The 2018 legislation, passed amid emotional protests from Parkland survivors, closed what many called the 'Rifle Loophole' that allowed 18-year-old Nikolas Cruz to legally purchase the AR-15 style weapon used in the killing spree. While federal law already prohibited handgun sales to under-21 buyers, Florida became one of only four states to extend that restriction to long guns through its Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
Proponents argue the current law unconstitutionally discriminates against young adults. 'If we trust 18-year-olds to vote, serve on juries, and fight wars, they deserve full Bill of Rights protections,' stated bill sponsor Representative Michelle Salzman during Wednesday's committee hearing. This perspective finds strong backing from House Speaker Daniel Perez and Governor Ron DeSantis, who recently quipped, 'You can't hunt with a rifle but you can hunt Taliban?'
Gun safety advocates counter with harrowing reminders of the Valentine's Day 2018 tragedy. 'This isn't abstract policy – it's about preventing another shattered community,' testified Fiona Shannon of the League of Women Voters, echoing sentiments from Parkland parents. Democratic Representative Robin Bartleman, who served on Broward County's school board during the shooting, condemned the proposal as 'legislative amnesia' that dishonors victims.
The political battle unfolds against a shifting legal landscape. A January 2023 federal appeals court ruling declared unconstitutional the federal ban on handgun sales to 18-20-year-olds, citing the Supreme Court's landmark Bruen decision requiring gun laws to align with historical tradition. While this specifically addressed handguns, Second Amendment experts suggest it could influence challenges to Florida's long gun restrictions.
Industry Insight: Post-Bruen, 27 states have faced lawsuits challenging age-based firearm restrictions, with courts increasingly scrutinizing historical precedents. Florida's case may set critical precedent for how 'tradition' applies to modern weapon accessibility.
Regional Case Study: Texas, which permits 18-year-olds to purchase rifles, saw a 31% increase in firearm-related ER visits among 18-20 year-olds from 2018-2022 (CDC data). However, researchers caution correlation doesn't imply causation, noting overall gun sales surged 58% nationally during this period.
As the House prepares for full chamber debate, attention shifts to the Senate where new President Ben Albritton expresses cautious skepticism. Despite GOP dominance, Florida's upper chamber has historically resisted NRA-backed gun measures, with former President Passidomo blocking similar proposals since 2022. Albritton's recent comments – 'I don’t want to make a mistake' – signal potential amendments to address law enforcement concerns over juvenile crime rates.
The outcome carries national implications as states grapple with balancing constitutional rights and public safety. With Parkland families vowing renewed activism and the NRA pledging legal support for the rollback, Florida's decision may shape gun policy debates ahead of the 2024 elections.