Introduction to the Gun-Buying Age Law

The state Senate in Florida appears unlikely to pass a repeal of the gun-buying age law, which currently restricts the purchase of rifles and other long guns to individuals aged 21 and above. This restriction was put into effect after the 2018 Parkland massacre, a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that resulted in the loss of 17 lives.

Background of the Law

After the Parkland shooting, the Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott approved several changes to gun laws, including increasing the minimum age for long-gun purchases to 21. Federal law has long set the minimum age at 21 for handgun purchases. The decision to maintain this age restriction is significant, especially in light of recent events such as the mass shooting at nearby Florida State University, which killed two people and injured six others.

Senate’s Stance on the Repeal

Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, has stated that her committee will not take up a House measure (HB 759) aimed at lowering the minimum age to 18. This decision was made prior to the shooting at Florida State University. Passidomo, a former Senate president, has been clear about her position, stating, "I haven’t changed my position in how many years. I’ve been clear from day one that I’m not going to replace Parkland. I was there."

Role of the Rules Committee

The Rules Committee plays a crucial role in determining which bills make it to the Senate floor. With the legislative session scheduled to end May 2, the committee’s decision significantly impacts the fate of the repeal measure. The House voted 78-34 to repeal the law on March 26, but without Senate approval, this measure is unlikely to pass, marking the third year in a row that the House has approved such measures without Senate concurrence.

Reaction from Lawmakers

Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, a Democrat who was the mayor of Parkland at the time of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, expressed cautious optimism that the repeal measure wouldn’t advance. She said, "I hope that it’s done for this session. But as we know, nothing is done until we sine die (an expression for adjourning the session)." Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, has not taken a clear public position on whether he supports repealing the gun-age law.

Legal Challenges

After the law passed in 2018, the National Rifle Association (NRA) quickly launched a constitutional challenge. In March, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 8-4 against the NRA. However, the issue is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who took office in February, has indicated that he would not defend the law, further complicating its future.

Conclusion

The Florida Senate’s decision not to take up the repeal of the gun-buying age law reflects a complex interplay of political, legal, and social considerations. The maintenance of the current age restriction is seen as a measure to prevent gun violence, particularly in the wake of tragic mass shootings. As the legislative session draws to a close, the focus will remain on the balance between gun rights and public safety.

FAQs

• What is the current minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns in Florida?
  The current minimum age is 21, as set by state law after the 2018 Parkland massacre.
• What is the House measure (HB 759) about?
  HB 759 aims to lower the minimum age for buying rifles and other long guns to 18.
• Why is the Senate unlikely to pass the repeal?
  The Senate Rules Committee has decided not to take up the House measure, effectively blocking its path to the Senate floor.
• What was the outcome of the NRA’s constitutional challenge to the law?
  The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the NRA, but the case is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• What has Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated regarding the law?
  He has said he would not defend the law, should it be challenged further.
  

  TALLAHASSEE — Days after a mass shooting at nearby Florida State University, the state Senate appears poised to scuttle a controversial proposal that would allow people under age 21 to buy rifles and other long guns, a restriction that went into effect after the 2018 Parkland massacre.

  Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said Monday her committee won’t take up a House measure (HB 759) that would lower the minimum age to 18.

  Passidomo said the decision against taking up the House bill was made before the shooting Thursday at Florida State University that killed two people and injured six others. The alleged gunman, the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy, was also shot as police officers quickly responded to the scene.

  After a 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people, the Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott approved a number of changes, including increasing the minimum age for long-gun purchases to 21. Federal law has long set the minimum age at 21 for handgun purchases.

“I haven’t changed my position in how many years,” Passidomo, a former Senate president, said. “I’ve been clear from day one that I’m not going to replace Parkland. I was there.”

The Rules Committee plays a key role in determining which bills make it to the Senate floor. The legislative session is scheduled to end May 2.

The House on March 26 voted 78-34 to repeal the law that increased the minimum age for long-gun purchases to 21. If the Senate does not take up the bill, this would be the third year in a row that the House has approved such measures with the Senate not passing them.

Passidomo was the Senate president during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions.

Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, a Democrat who was the mayor of Parkland at the time of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, said she was cautiously optimistic that the repeal measure wouldn’t advance.

“I hope that it’s done for this session,” Hunschofsky told reporters on Monday. “But as we know, nothing is done until we sine die (an expression for adjourning the session).”

Bills filed in the Senate as counterparts to the House measure have not been heard in committees. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, has not taken a clear public position when asked about whether he supports repealing the gun-age law.

After the law passed in 2018, the National Rifle Association quickly launched a constitutional challenge. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March ruled 8-4 against the NRA.

But the issue is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who took office in February, has said he would not defend the law.