Florida House Votes to Restore Second Amendment Rights, Lowers Gun Purchase Age to 18
In a bold move that reverses a key gun control measure enacted under former Governor Rick Scott, the Florida House of Representatives has passed HB 759. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Michelle Salzman (R-Pensacola), would lower the minimum age to purchase firearms from 21 to 18. It passed with a vote of 78-34 on March 26th, with 6 Republicans opposing the bill and 1 Democrat supporting it. 4 of the 6 Republican Nays came from Palm Beach and Broward Republicans. 2 of the 6 Republicans are the representatives who ran for office as Democrats before switching parties. (See Party Hoppers)
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As reported by NBC Miami.com,
Wednesday’s vote was primarily along party lines, with one Democrat, Jose Alvarez of Kissimmee, supporting the bill. Six Republicans voted against it: Rep. Hillary Cassel, R-Dania Beach; Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington; Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, R-Highland Beach; Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point; Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami; and Rep. Susan Valdes, R-Tampa.
HB 759 restores the right of young adults aged 18-20 to acquire firearms, which was stripped away in the wake of the tragic Parkland High School shooting in 2018.
The passage of HB 759 reignites the debate over what constitutes adulthood in our society. Florida Jolt covered the topic in Are Adults 18 or 21?-Time to Make Up Our Minds. Supporters of the bill argue that if 18-year-olds can enlist in the military, vote in elections, and make other life-altering decisions, they should also have the right to purchase firearms. Strong advocates for Second Amendment rights believe we must address this discrepancy. We trust 18-year-olds to defend our country with military-grade weapons if they’re in the military, but we won’t allow them to purchase a firearm otherwise.
The arrogance and hypocrisy are breathtaking. Anti-second Amendment types will happily send your young adult to fight in Ukraine or a third-world hellhole, but the same young adult can’t acquire the means to protect his family here at home.
It’s a question of consistency and fairness.
For those who are on the fence about allowing 18-year-olds to buy firearms, it is important to note that federal law already allows 18-year-olds to buy guns. Additionally, in Florida, 16-year-olds with a hunting license can own a long rifle. They can also own one if they’re a competitive marksman.
Representative Salzman has shown tremendous courage in pushing for this legislation. She understands that responsible gun ownership is a fundamental right that shouldn’t be arbitrarily restricted based on a reaction to a tragic event. Knee-jerk responses to tragic events are how we’ve gotten stuck with other legislation that doesn’t work. We now desperately need condo law reform because of laws created in haste to the tragic Surfside condo collapse. Quick action seemed prudent then, but a quick fix to a problem decades in the making didn’t work and now needs significant reform. Now, we’re seeing that changing the age for gun laws hasn’t done anything but strip voting adults of their rights, which is why this law needs to be changed.
The House voted in favor of the bill, and the focus now shifts to the Senate, where the companion bill, SB 920, awaits its first policy hearing. The bill’s progress in the upper chamber will determine whether this critical legislation becomes law.
Senate President Ben Albritton has expressed cautious optimism about the bill’s prospects. In a recent statement, he said,
We’re carefully considering the implications of this legislation. While we strongly support Second Amendment rights, we also need to ensure that any changes to our gun laws prioritize public safety. We’ll be examining the House bill closely and consulting with law enforcement and other stakeholders before making a decision.~Senator Ben Albritton
This measured approach from Senate leadership suggests that while the bill has momentum, it may face a more rigorous debate in the upper chamber. The Senate’s deliberations will likely focus on balancing gun rights with public safety concerns. Still, it does beg the question, with a Republican majority, why is this up for debate?
The passage of HB 759 in the House is a significant step towards restoring the rights of young adults in Florida. It sends a clear message that we trust our 18-20-year-olds with the responsibilities of adulthood, including the right to bear arms. However, the real test lies ahead in the Senate.
The coming weeks will be crucial for this legislation. Gun rights supporters across Florida should stay vigilant and continue to press their senators to support this critical bill. The fight for our Second Amendment rights is far from over, but with HB 759, we’ve taken a significant step in the right direction.
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