Florida Bill to Lower Gun-Buying Age Progresses

A bill proposing to lower the minimum age for purchasing rifles and shotguns from 21 to 18 in Florida has advanced to the full House but remains stalled in the Senate. This proposal seeks to reverse a law enacted after the 2018 Parkland school shooting, which killed 17 people and led to raising the gun-buying age as part of a broader gun safety measure. The bill has sparked emotional debate, with supporters like Rep. Michelle Salzman arguing for Second Amendment rights and critics like Broward County School Board Chairwoman Debra Hixon, whose husband was killed in the Parkland shooting, emphasizing the potential risks of such a repeal. Despite passing the House Judiciary Committee, the Senate's decision remains uncertain, with Senate President Ben Albritton expressing a need for careful consideration. The bill's progress highlights ongoing tensions between gun rights advocacy and calls for stricter gun control in response to gun violence. This legislative effort is seen as a priority by some House members, but it continues to face significant opposition from those affected by the Parkland tragedy.