From open carry to age requirements, Florida lawmakers are debating the state’s gun laws.

TAMPA, Fla. — This weekend in Tampa, thousands gathered for the Florida Gun Show.

Over 9,000 were expected to attend, with over 750 vendors set up.

Some might see it as a familiar fixture at the state’s fairgrounds — but others could see it as a front-row seat to some of the state’s biggest discussions right now in Tallahassee.

This legislative session, there are 25 bills related to gun laws working their way to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk — many of which have to do with where and when you can openly carry a firearm.

It comes after a decision from a Florida judge in September, who ruled the state’s long-standing ban on open carry was unconstitutional.

“In the big picture, it’s a win for the Second Amendment supporters, so we’re always for that,” Florida Gun Show GM Robert Geisler said.

Second Amendment advocates like Geisler say the new open-carry rules give citizens more options. But it’s also reopening the debate in Tallahassee on where guns should be allowed. Some lawmakers are seeking to double down on existing laws prohibiting guns in places like schools, courthouses and polling centers, and others are looking to repeal some of those restrictions in places like college campuses.

The other discussion taking place in the Capitol is around how old you need to be to purchase a rifle. The House passed a bill in the session’s first week that would lower the age to buy a rifle from 21 to 18.

The bill passed after a lengthy debate, with many arguing that bringing the age back down to 18 would repeal a lot of the progress made in the wake of the Parkland shooting that left 17 dead at the hands of a 19-year-old gunman.

“Rolling back this law would once again place lethal weapons into the hands of teenagers at their most vulnerable developmental stage,” said Yvonne Haynes Hinson, D-Gainesville. 

Geisler, however, argues for the change that would still need to pass the Senate and Gov. DeSantis’ desk to become law. 

“If you’re able to sign up to go to the military, you’re legally an adult at 18, I think if you can pass a background check, you should be able to buy a rifle,” he said.

You could make the 4 ½ hour drive to Tallahassee — or you could stop by this weekend’s gun show and listen.

“Please come out. Come to the show. Take the course,” Geisler said. “We go over all that. We’ll answer all your questions.”