Published: January 14, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Parkland families oppose effort to lower Florida’s gun purchase age
PARKLAND, Fla. — Families of victims from the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting are speaking out as Florida lawmakers consider rolling back a gun law passed after the tragedy.
A yellow school bus marked with messages like “Save Lives” and “Stop Gun Violence” was parked near the school’s memorial garden, where Manuel and Patricia Oliver — whose son Joaquin was among the 17 people killed — expressed frustration over the proposal.
“It is a big slap in the face,” Manuel Oliver said, referring to efforts to lower the legal age to purchase a gun in Florida from 21 back to 18.
“It’s like they’re spitting on my son’s legacy — why is this going to solve anything?” Oliver questioned. “Give me one argument that makes sense?”
The age restriction was enacted after the Parkland shooting and signed by then Gov. Rick Scott.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton (R) said lawmakers are assessing support for changing the law, noting any proposal would need 21 votes to pass.
Patricia Oliver said families will continue to oppose the move.
“We’re never going to drop it,” she said. “We’re always going to fight it because those kids that we have behind us — deserve to live in liberty and freedom and at peace.”
🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Terrell Forney