ORLANDO, Fla. – Republican Rep. Bobby Payne is championing a bill in Florida to lower the age requirement for purchasing a gun from 21 to 18. This move overturns part of a law enacted following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where a 19-year-old used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 17 people. Backed by House Speaker Paul Renner, a similar bill was previously filed in 2023, but did not succeed.
Fellow Republican Rep. Randy Fine supports the bill, arguing that 19 and 20-year-olds in Florida should have the right to purchase firearms because they are adults. Democratic Party Rep. Anna Eskamani, however, opposes the bill, citing the tragic loss of young lives due to gun violence in incidents such as the Parkland shooting. She emphasizes the unsettling trend of mass shootings across the country, opposing the repeal of age protection for purchasing firearms.
As of January 6, 2024, the United States has already experienced five mass shootings, one of which occurred at an Iowa school, resulting in one fatality and five injuries at the hands of a 17-year-old gunman. Eskamani argues against allowing 18, 19, and 20-year-olds to buy weapons like the AR 15, citing the potential for serious bodily harm as evidenced by the Parkland shooting.
Rep. Fine attributes the issue to mental health problems, referencing the recent Iowa shooting as an example of the challenges society faces when individuals struggle with their mental well-being. Despite the push to lower the age requirement for purchasing firearms in Florida, a Senate version of the bill has not yet been filed.
In response to the efforts to change the age requirement for buying guns in Florida, there are differing opinions among lawmakers regarding the potential impact on public safety and the prevention of gun violence. These discussions are taking place against the backdrop of ongoing concerns about mass shootings and the broader issue of mental health and its impact on public safety.
In summary, the debate over lowering the age requirement for purchasing guns in Florida is ongoing, with proponents emphasizing individual rights and opponents citing the potential for increased risk of gun violence. This issue is part of a broader national conversation about public safety, mental health, and efforts to prevent mass shootings.