In a move likely to reignite debate over gun control laws, Florida State Senator Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, filed a bill Tuesday to repeal the state’s prohibition on firearm purchases by individuals under the age of 21. The proposal (SB 94) is set for consideration during the 2025 legislative session, which begins March 4.
The law in question, enacted in 2018 following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, raised the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 18 to 21. The legislation, signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott, was part of a broader package of measures aimed at curbing gun violence. Federal law already prohibits people under 21 from purchasing handguns.
READ: CENTCOM: U.S. Navy Successfully Defends Against Houthi Attacks In Gulf Of Aden
Sen. Fine, who was elected to the Senate last month after eight years in the House, is running in a special election to replace U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., in Congressional District 6. Waltz has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as national security adviser.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has long opposed the 2018 law, arguing that it violates Second Amendment rights. The law has been upheld in court by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker and a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the NRA has petitioned the full appeals court to review the case, which is still pending in Atlanta.
The proposed repeal mirrors a measure passed by the Florida House during the 2024 legislative session but failed to gain traction in the Senate. If passed, SB 94 would reverse one of the most significant gun control measures enacted in Florida following the Parkland tragedy that claimed 17 lives.
READ: Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Joins OAN Lineup With New Show Starting January
Fine’s proposal comes as he campaigns for higher office in the congressional special election. His filing underscores his alignment with gun rights advocates and the NRA, a key constituency in Republican politics.
“This issue isn’t just about constitutional rights,” Fine said in a statement. “It’s about ensuring that young adults, who are otherwise considered legal adults for purposes such as military service, are not unfairly deprived of their ability to purchase firearms.”
Opponents of the repeal argue that raising the age limit has been a critical step in preventing gun violence, particularly mass shootings. Advocates for the age restriction point to the Parkland shooting as a grim reminder of the consequences of easing gun laws.
READ: St. Petersburg Postal Worker Admits to Stealing Mail, Including Credit Cards, Social Security Card
As Florida lawmakers prepare for the 2025 legislative session, the debate over SB 94 is expected to draw significant attention from both sides of the gun control debate. With the legal battle over the 2018 law still unresolved, the proposal adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing national conversation about firearm regulations and Second Amendment rights.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.