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Is this the year Florida restores the rights of 18-year-olds to purchase long guns?

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floridaphoenix.com – Mitch Perry – 2025-03-12 15:24:00

Is this the year Florida restores the rights of 18-year-olds to purchase long guns?

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
March 12, 2025

A proposal to lower the age for individuals in Florida to purchase shotguns and rifles from 21 to 18 advanced in its first hearing before a House committee in the 2025 session on Wednesday.

The bill also would allow someone 18 years old or older to purchase a handgun from a private seller. (Federal law prohibits anyone under 21 from purchasing a handgun from a federal firearms licensee).

Similar legislation — which would remove a key provision of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act — has passed in the Florida House in the past two legislative sessions, but has been blocked in the Senate.

But the mood in Tallahassee when it comes to this particular law is different this year, as the new leadership in the GOP-controlled Legislature has expressed more interest in supporting a repeal of the law.  Gov. Ron DeSantis has been outspoken in wanting to see the prohibition eliminated.

This year’s bill (HB 759) is sponsored by Republicans Michelle Salzman from the Panhandle and Tyler Sirois from Brevard County. As an indication of its strength in the House, it’s co-sponsored by eight additional Republicans and has been assigned to just one other committee before it could make its way to the full chamber for a floor vote.

As has often been the case with the law passed just weeks after 17 people were shot and killed in Parkland, testimony from members of the public and lawmakers was charged with strong feelings.

FSU student Andres Cubillos testified against the gun measure in Tallahassee on March 12, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

“Here we are yet again, as concerned members in the community, begging this committee to not pass this bill,” said Andres Cubillos, a graduate student attending Florida State University and member of FSU Students Demand Action. “To some of you, and to some of the people from our community, [the incident at] Marjory Stoneman Douglas was one of the worst days in Florida’s history.”

Tampa Democratic Rep. Dianne Hart said the measure was a “slap in the face” to the families who suffered through the Parkland shooting. “We say brains are not developed until you’re 25, but we want to hand 18-year-olds long guns,” she said. “Guns of any kind. Are we not following statistics to see what’s happening with guns? It’s almost as if though we don’t know that these guns are dangerous.”

Second Amendment

Advocates for the repeal, however, argued the law violates the Second Amendment and that it doesn’t make sense to prohibit 18-year-olds from purchasing guns.

“As a father, I want my daughter to be armed when she’s under the age of 21 and she’s living outside of my house and she’s able to protect herself, because right now this [law] disarms women, disarms our college students, and disarms our children,” said Luis Valdes, Florida state president of Gun Owners of America.

“We are messing with the bill of rights, and that’s why we’re having these problems,” added Lake County Republican Taylor Yarkosky.

Responding to criticisms about the maturity of individuals under 21, Rep. Salzman said this cohort is already legally allowed to perform significant responsibilities, such as voting, serving on juries, and enlisting in the armed forces.

South Florida Democratic Rep. Kelly Skidmore, who like every other Democrat on the committee voted against the measure, said she wouldn’t have a problem allowing 18-year-olds to purchase firearms if they have been trained properly.

“I admit, we send 18-,19-, 20-year-olds off to war,” she said. “They’re in the military, where they are trained to use a weapon of destruction. If you’re going to have something as powerful as a gun, in my mind, why wouldn’t we want to teach you how to use it?”

House Speaker Daniel Perez told reporters last week that he was receptive to returning the eligibility age to purchase a long gun to 18 years, while Senate President Ben Albritton said on Wednesday that he was continuing to take a “very cautious approach” to the proposal.

That’s a different stance than former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo took over the past two years, to the extent that no such companion measure was even filed in the Senate last year.

That’s not the case this time around, as a companion measure has already been filed in the Senate by Hillsborough County Republican Jay Collins (SB 920).

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Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Delray Beach leaders fight for rainbow street mural during Florida hearing in Orange County

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www.clickorlando.com – Catherine Silver – 2025-09-02 15:47:00

SUMMARY: Delray Beach city leaders traveled nearly 200 miles to a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hearing regarding the state’s request to remove a rainbow pride mural at Northeast Second Avenue and First Street. The mural commemorates the Pulse nightclub shooting anniversary and was painted in 2021. No final decision was made; the city must submit supporting documents by September 5. City attorney Howard DuBosar argued the mural is street art, not a traffic control device, and cited local control under “Home Rule.” FDOT emphasized safety and state standards. Governor DeSantis supports removal of such messages from crosswalks. The mural remains for now pending the decision.

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Rudy Giuliani leaves the hospital after being injured in a car crash in New Hampshire

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www.news4jax.com – Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press – 2025-09-02 10:32:00

SUMMARY: Rudy Giuliani, 81, was released from the hospital after a car accident in New Hampshire where the vehicle he was in was struck from behind on Interstate 93. Giuliani sustained a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations, contusions, and injuries to his left arm and leg. He and the driver, spokesman Ted Goodman, were helping a woman who reported a domestic violence incident when the crash occurred. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The crash’s cause is under investigation, with no charges filed. Giuliani, known as “America’s mayor” for his 9/11 leadership, later served as Trump’s personal attorney, involved in controversial election fraud claims.

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Polls to open in Florida Senate, House special elections. How to find out if you should be voting

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www.clickorlando.com – Christie Zizo, Emily McLeod – 2025-09-02 04:00:00

SUMMARY: Election Day in west Orange County, Florida, on Tuesday features special elections to fill two Florida Legislature vacancies in Senate District 15 and House District 40. Senate District 15 includes northwest Orange County areas like Winter Garden and College Park. The seat was vacated by the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson. Democratic State Rep. Bracy Davis faces Republican Willie J. Montague for the Senate seat. In House District 40, RaShon Young, Davis’ former chief of staff, won the Democratic primary and will compete against Republican Tuan Le and write-in Chris Hall in the Sept. 2 general election. Polls open 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; vote-by-mail ballots are due by 7 p.m.

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