ORLANDO, Fla. — Republican Rep. Bobby Payne has introduced a bill in Florida to reduce the age requirement for purchasing a gun from 21 to 18. This proposal comes after a similar bill was filed in 2023, which had the support of House Speaker Paul Renner. Other Republican lawmakers, such as Rep. Randy Fine, have expressed their approval of the bill and believe that 19 and 20-year-olds should have the right to purchase firearms in the state.
Advocates for the bill argue that individuals aged 18 and older should be considered adults with the right to purchase firearms. However, this move would overturn part of a law that was implemented in response to the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. The shooter, who was 19 years old at the time, used a semi-automatic rifle to take the lives of 17 students and faculty members, prompting the state legislature and then-Governor Rick Scott to approve a law raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21.
On the other hand, Democratic Party Rep. Anna Eskamani opposes the bill, citing the devastating impact of the Parkland shooting and emphasizing that it is one of many examples of why the age requirement should not be lowered. The National Gun Archive reported five mass shootings in the U.S. in 2024, one of which occurred at a school in Iowa and was carried out by a 17-year-old gunman.
Debate on the bill also brings mental health issues into focus, with Fine pointing to the Iowa school shooting as evidence of significant mental health problems. Despite the support for the bill among some Republican lawmakers, a Senate version of Payne’s bill has not yet been filed.
In summary, the proposed bill in Florida to lower the age requirement for purchasing firearms is generating significant debate. Advocates argue that 18 to 20-year-olds are adults with the right to purchase firearms, while opponents emphasize the devastating impact of previous shootings and express concerns about mental health issues. The debate continues as the state considers potential changes to its firearm laws.