A federal appeals court has upheld the constitutionality of Florida’s law raising the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 18 to 21, citing a historical tradition of firearm regulation. The law was passed in response to the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 students and faculty members were killed by a 19-year-old using a semiautomatic rifle.
The ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after seven years of legal challenges from the National Rifle Association. The majority opinion stated that the law is consistent with the nation’s history of gun laws and aims to prevent immature and impulsive individuals from causing harm with deadly weapons.
The dissenting judges argued that there were no age-based limitations on the right to keep and bear arms in the nation’s founding era. However, the majority opinion emphasized that historical restrictions on firearms for minors support the constitutionality of Florida’s law.
The decision may not put an end to the debate, as Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced he will not defend the law. Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for revising state gun laws, including the age restriction.
Despite the ongoing controversy, state House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell praised the ruling, stating that reasonable and responsible gun laws are constitutional and necessary for public safety. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act, passed in 2018, is seen as a key measure to protect communities in Florida.
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