A heated debate over firearm regulations is reigniting in Florida as state Sen. Randy Fine (R-Brevard) introduced a proposal on Tuesday to repeal the state law prohibiting individuals under 21 from purchasing rifles and long guns. The proposal, SB 94, is slated for consideration in the 2025 legislative session, which begins on March 4.
This proposed legislation marks the latest chapter in a long-standing legal and political battle surrounding Second Amendment rights and age restrictions for firearm purchases.
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The current age restriction was enacted in 2018 after the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 people lost their lives. The law raised the minimum age for purchasing rifles and long guns from 18 to 21. Federal law already prohibits individuals under 21 from purchasing handguns.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a lawsuit soon after the law’s passage, arguing that it infringes on Second Amendment rights. Although the regulation has been upheld by both Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker and a three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the NRA has requested a review by the full appeals court, leaving the issue unresolved.
Sen. Fine’s proposal seeks to roll back the 2018 age restriction, aligning the purchase age for rifles and long guns with the federal minimum for handguns. Fine, a longtime advocate for gun rights, previously served eight years in the Florida House and was recently elected to the Senate. His new role coincides with his campaign in a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) in Congressional District 6. Waltz is leaving his seat to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
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Fine’s efforts mirror a similar bill passed by the Florida House in the 2024 session, which ultimately failed in the Senate. By reintroducing the measure, Fine aims to reignite discussions on the rights of young adults to purchase firearms.
The debate over firearm age restrictions pits public safety advocates against staunch Second Amendment supporters. Proponents of the age increase argue it helps prevent tragedies like Parkland, while opponents, including the NRA, contend it unfairly limits the rights of law-abiding citizens aged 18 to 20.
Fine’s proposal also adds political fuel to his congressional campaign, positioning him as a defender of conservative values and gun rights—a key issue for many Republican voters in Florida.
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The proposal faces an uphill battle in the Florida Senate, where a similar measure failed to gain traction last year. Meanwhile, the NRA’s legal challenge continues to wend its way through the courts, with the final outcome potentially shaping future firearm legislation in the state and beyond.
As the legislative session approaches, Florida lawmakers will once again grapple with balancing constitutional rights and public safety—a debate certain to draw national attention.
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