Appeals Court Reviews Florida Gun Law for Under-21s

A federal appeals court is reviewing the constitutionality of a Florida law that prohibits individuals under 21 from purchasing rifles and long guns, enacted in response to the 2018 Parkland shooting. The National Rifle Association (NRA) argues that this law violates the Second Amendment, claiming it is not part of the historical tradition at the time the Constitution was adopted. Florida's Deputy Solicitor General defended the law, drawing parallels to age restrictions on alcohol and tobacco, and asserting that historical practices reflected limited legal rights for those under 21. The judges are grappling with how recent Supreme Court rulings influence this case, particularly the need for gun laws to align with historical regulations. Chief U.S. District Mark Walker and a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit previously upheld the law, but the NRA seeks a broader review from the full court. This case could set significant precedents for firearm regulations and age restrictions across the country.