The Florida House is making a third attempt to overturn a law that prohibits people under 21 from buying rifles, a measure enacted following the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The bill has failed twice before due to opposition from Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, but gun rights activists are hopeful this time due to new leadership and support from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The current law only restricts licensed gun dealers from selling firearms to those under 21, allowing exceptions for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and service members. A federal appeals court recently upheld the law, citing historical firearms restrictions and the need to prevent impulsive individuals from causing harm.
Perpetrators of gun violence are typically young men, with 18 being the peak age, according to data from Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri supports the age restriction as a way to deter impulsive purchases.
House Speaker Daniel Perez backs the bill to lower the rifle-buying age to 18, while Senate President Ben Albritton is still considering his stance. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier disagrees with the restriction and has indicated that his office would not defend the law if it reaches the Supreme Court.
The decision to challenge the law could lead to a potential showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court, with conflicting rulings from different appeals courts on federal age restrictions for firearms. Ultimately, the fate of the law rests on the decision of legislative leaders and the ongoing debate over gun rights and public safety in Florida.
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