A Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a bill that would lower the state’s minimum age to buy a firearm from 21 to 18, rolling back restrictions enacted after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee advanced HB 759 in a 13-5 vote along party lines. The legislation, sponsored by Republican Reps. Michelle Salzman and Tyler Sirois, would allow adults 18 and older to purchase rifles and shotguns from federally licensed dealers and handguns in private sales. Federal law still prohibits licensed dealers from selling handguns to individuals under 21.
Under current Florida law, individuals under 21 are prohibited from purchasing any type of firearm, a restriction put in place following the Parkland shooting, which left 17 dead and prompted lawmakers to tighten gun laws. HB 759 would repeal this provision, aligning Florida’s regulations with federal standards for long gun sales while expanding access to private handgun transactions for those 18 and older.
The legislation would still prohibit firearm sales to individuals with felony convictions, domestic violence restraining orders, or other legal disqualifications under state and federal law. It does not change existing background check requirements or waiting periods for firearm purchases.
The bill now moves to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will face further debate. A companion measure (SB 920) is pending in the Senate.
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