Florida Bill Advances to Lower Gun Purchase Age

Florida Republicans are advancing a bill to lower the gun-buying age from 21 to 18, a change originally enacted in response to the 2018 Parkland school shooting. State Rep. Michelle Salzman sponsors the bill, arguing it restores full Second Amendment rights to adults in Florida. The proposal has cleared its first committee stop in the House, but its fate in the Senate remains uncertain, as past attempts have failed. The measure is controversial, particularly among those who supported the post-Parkland safety laws, which included raising the minimum age for purchasing long guns. The National Rifle Association has been challenging the current age restriction in federal court. Key figures, such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, have signaled support for revising gun laws, though specifics on this bill are unclear.