Introduction to the Debate
The Florida Senate appears unlikely to pass a law that would lower the minimum age for purchasing rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18. This decision comes after a recent mass shooting at Florida State University, which killed two people and injured six others. The alleged gunman, who was also shot by police, was the stepson of a Leon County Sheriff’s deputy.
Background on the Proposed Law
The proposed law, House measure (HB 759), aimed to reduce the minimum age for buying long guns to 18. However, Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, announced that her committee would not take up the measure. Passidomo stated that the decision was made before the shooting at Florida State University and was based on her long-standing position against changing the laws enacted after the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Previous Legislation and Its Impact
After the 2018 Parkland shooting, which killed 17 people, the Legislature and then-Gov. Rick Scott approved several 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. Passidomo, a former Senate president, has been clear about her opposition to repealing the law, citing her experience during the Parkland shooting.
The Role of the Senate Rules Committee
The Senate Rules Committee plays a crucial role in determining which bills make it to the Senate floor. With the legislative session scheduled to end on May 2, the committee’s decision not to take up the House bill effectively kills the measure for this session. The House had voted 78-34 to repeal the law that increased the minimum age for long-gun purchases to 21, but without the Senate’s approval, the measure will not become law.
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. "I hope that it’s done for this session," Hunschofsky told reporters. "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 the issue.
Legal Challenges and Future Prospects
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. However, the issue is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has said he would not defend the law.
Conclusion
The Florida Senate’s decision not to take up the House bill to lower the minimum age for purchasing long guns suggests that the law enacted after the Parkland shooting will remain in place for now. While the issue may continue to be debated and challenged in court, the Senate’s stance indicates a reluctance to revisit the laws aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
FAQs
- Q: What is the current minimum age for purchasing long guns in Florida?
A: The current minimum age is 21, as enacted after the 2018 Parkland shooting. - Q: What was the proposed change to the law?
A: The proposed law aimed to lower the minimum age for purchasing long guns to 18. - Q: Why did the Senate Rules Committee decide not to take up the House bill?
A: The committee’s decision was based on the chairwoman’s long-standing opposition to changing the laws enacted after the Parkland shooting. - Q: What is the next step for the issue?
A: The issue is likely to go to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the National Rifle Association has launched a constitutional challenge against the current law.
