The Florida House approved a contentious bill on Friday that would reduce the legal age to purchase rifles and shotguns from 21 to 18, despite the Senate’s inaction on the matter.
The bill (HB 1223), which would overturn a ruling that raised the minimum age in the wake of the 2018 mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 people dead, was passed by the Republican-controlled House by a vote of 76-35, essentially along party lines.
Handgun purchases by those under 21 are prohibited by federal law.
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Democrats opposed the bill on Friday, bringing up the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting several times.
Rep. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, said lawmakers should not “renege” on a promise the Legislature made when it passed the higher minimum age as part of a broader school safety bill. “Shame on us,” Bartleman said, according to News Service of Florida. “We told the citizens of Florida that we were going to protect them.”
In contrast, bill sponsor Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, pointed to Second Amendment rights and self-defense.
“I’m not worried about our schools. Our schools are safe in Florida. We’ve heard it was the gold standard,” Payne said. “What I’m worried about is my kids, my grandkids, and your kids that can’t defend themselves because we’re restricting their rights.”
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Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, has repeatedly said the Senate doesn’t have a similar bill, meaning the proposed age change will not pass during this year’s legislative session.
Democrats who voted against the bill on Friday included Reps. Linda Chaney of St. Pete Beach, Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point, Vicki Lopez of Miami, and Cyndi Stevenson of Saint Johns.
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