Keith Lusher 12.18.25
Florida lawmakers are as soon as once more transferring ahead with a proposal to decrease the minimal age to buy rifles and shotguns, advancing a invoice that may roll again gun restrictions put in place after the 2018 mass taking pictures at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty.
The Florida Home Judiciary Committee voted 13-7 on Tuesday to approve House Bill 133, sending the measure to the total Home when the 2026 legislative session begins in January. The vote largely adopted occasion strains, with Rep. Hillary Cassel, R-Hollywood, becoming a member of Democrats in opposition.
HB 133 would decrease the minimal age to buy lengthy weapons from 21 to 18. Florida raised the age restrict in 2018 after a 19-year-old gunman legally bought an AR-15-style rifle and killed 17 college students and employees members on the Parkland college.
The invoice’s sponsor, Rep. Tyler Sirois, R-Brevard County, and supporters argue the legislation unfairly restricts the rights of law-abiding younger adults. Gun rights advocates testified that 18- to 20-year-olds can already possess and carry firearms in Florida however are prohibited from buying them instantly.
“Proper now in Florida, 18- to 20-year-olds can legally carry a firearm, however they can’t legally buy one,” mentioned Jed Carroll of Gun Owners of America throughout the listening to.
Opponents of the measure, together with college students, dad and mom, and public security advocates, urged lawmakers to maintain the age restriction in place. Many referenced the Parkland taking pictures and cited issues about gun violence amongst teenagers.
“Eighteen-year-olds within the army will not be simply handed a weapon and launched into the general public,” mentioned Marialana Kinter, a Navy veteran from Orlando. “Within the army, no one touches a weapon with out in depth coaching.”
Rep. Mike Gottlieb, D-Davie, the highest Democrat on the committee, mentioned he doesn’t count on the invoice to outlive the legislative course of, even when it passes the Home.
Related measures have handed the Home in every of the previous three years however failed to realize traction within the Senate. As of this week, no companion invoice has been filed within the Senate, which has confirmed to be a recurring impediment.
Even when permitted, the laws wouldn’t override federal legislation, which nonetheless prohibits people beneath 21 from buying handguns from licensed sellers. Nonetheless, it might permit non-public gross sales of pistols to consumers beneath 21.
The invoice now awaits a vote by the total Home when lawmakers reconvene in January.
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