Florida lawmakers debate lowering gun purchase age to 18

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

The Florida House has voted to lower the age for purchasing a long gun from 21 to 18, a decision that comes nearly eight years after the Parkland school shooting prompted lawmakers to raise the age limit.

Seventeen people were killed and 18 others injured in the Parkland school shooting, leading lawmakers to increase the minimum age for buying a long gun to 21.

Marcus Jara from Fort Myers expressed concern over the proposed change, saying, "When you turn 21, you're much older and more stable of a person. It's just dangerous for 18-year-olds to have guns."

Despite these concerns, a majority of House lawmakers voted in favor of lowering the age. Jara added, "I think that is kind of crazy that they're trying to lower to the age of 18."

The proposal follows Florida's recent decision to legalize open carry. Joe Ferris from Cape Coral, who purchased weapons at 18, noted, "You have 18-year-olds that go to war and get shot too."

State Sen. Jonathan Martin acknowledged the bill's uncertain future in the Senate, stating, "Many of the senators who are here were part of the vote in 2018 after the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, where this change in the law came about." He also mentioned, "There is not a companion bill filed in the Senate, so it's going to through the rules committee, which is a last stop, for any vote."

For the past three years, lawmakers have attempted to pass similar legislation, but it has yet to succeed in the Senate.

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