>> THE DEBATE OVER THE AGE TO BUY A GUN IS HEATING UP IN FLORIDA. IN 2018, LAWMAKERS MADE THE MINIMUM AGE. 21 AND NOW THEY ARE CONSIDERING LOWERING IT BACK TO 18 GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER MADISON ADAMS IS TALKING TO NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE SOME MIXED OPINIONS ON THIS POTENTIAL REVERSAL. USED TO BE THERE, RIGHT? THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM. >> THE RIGHT TO BUY A GUN AFTER THE PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING IN 2018 LAWMAKERS IN FLORIDA RAISED THE AGE TO BUY A LONG GUN FROM 18 TO 21. THIS HELPS PREVENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS. NOW LAWMAKERS IN TALLAHASSEE ARE WORKING TO REVERSE THAT LAW, LOWERING THE AGE BACK TO 18. THIS LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO OPEN THE WOUND OF THE FAMILY. MEMBERS OF THE PARKLAND VICTIMS. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, AN 18 YEAR-OLD CAN POSSESS A FIREARM. SO WHY CAN’T THEY GO BY FOR TYLER RAMSEY TURNING? 21 MEANT FINALLY BEING ABLE TO BUY HIS FIRST GUN, SOMETHING THAT MANY OF HIS FRIENDS DID YEARS AGO. A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO ARE GRANDFATHERED IN. ALRIGHT, WE’LL GUNS THAT THEIR FAMILY HAS. I JUST WASN’T ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THAT YOU ARE, YOU KNOW, EXPRESSED MY RIGHT TO GO OUT AND >> ARE, YOU KNOW, FISHING GAME. LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED AND FAILED TO PASS THIS IDEA FOR THE PAST 3 SESSIONS >> BUT THE DEBATE THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE OPEN CARRY IS NOW ALLOWED IN FLORIDA ARE GOING TO HAVE KIDS WHO DO SILLY STUFF ALL THE TIME. WE KNOW THAT WAQAR IMMIGRANT WITH PARENTS QUESTIONED THIS BODY UNFORTUNATELY MADE A POOR DECISION IN 2018. >> AND PAST THE PARKLAND BILL AND TOOK AWAY THE RIGHTS OF ADULTS TODAY, A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE VOTED IN FAVOR SENDING THE BILL TO THE FULL COMMITTEE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SENATE COMPANION BILL. IT’S LIKELY TO FAIL AGAIN. BUT IF PASSED, IT WILL TAKE INTO EFFECT JULY 2026. AND GUNS ARE NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE FEDERA
New Florida bill would lower gun-buying age from 21 to 18 for some firearms
Updated: 12:02 AM EST Nov 19, 2025
Florida lawmakers are debating a bill to lower the age for purchasing long guns from 21 to 18. After the Parkland school shooting in 2018, Florida raised the age to buy a long gun from 18 to 21. Now, lawmakers in Tallahassee are working to reverse that law. Despite previous failed attempts to pass similar legislation, the current session has seen a shift in the debate, especially with open carry now allowed in Florida. On Tuesday, a criminal justice subcommittee voted in favor of the bill, 11-5, sending it to the full committee. The bill faces an uncertain future, as there is no companion bill in the Senate, making it likely to fail again. If passed, the law would take effect in July 2026. It is important to note that handguns are not included in this bill, as federal law requires buyers to be 21. House Bill 311 was filed by Majority Leader Tyler Sirois in October.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —
Florida lawmakers are debating a bill to lower the age for purchasing long guns from 21 to 18.
After the Parkland school shooting in 2018, Florida raised the age to buy a long gun from 18 to 21. Now, lawmakers in Tallahassee are working to reverse that law.
Despite previous failed attempts to pass similar legislation, the current session has seen a shift in the debate, especially with open carry now allowed in Florida. On Tuesday, a criminal justice subcommittee voted in favor of the bill, 11-5, sending it to the full committee.
The bill faces an uncertain future, as there is no companion bill in the Senate, making it likely to fail again. If passed, the law would take effect in July 2026. It is important to note that handguns are not included in this bill, as federal law requires buyers to be 21.
House Bill 311 was filed by Majority Leader Tyler Sirois in October.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.