Board asks staff to draft resolution opposing lowering long-gun age; will return for review

Summary

A board member asked the district to draft a resolution opposing proposed state legislation to lower the minimum long-gun purchase age to 18. General counsel said a resolution is permissible and noted Florida law (including 790.115) already bars weapon possession on school campuses; staff agreed to draft resolution language for board review.

Board members discussed whether the district should adopt a resolution opposing proposed state legislation to lower the legal age for long-gun purchases to 18. A member described a parent request and urged the board to consider a statement in support of keeping the purchase age at 21; she cited concerns about 18-year-olds having access to firearms while many students are 18 and still on campus.

General Counsel Palmerini said the board could adopt a resolution and noted that, separate from purchase-age law, Florida Statute 790.115 already makes possession of a weapon on a school campus illegal, regardless of age. "Regardless of whether somebody's 18 or not, it would be illegal for them to possess a weapon on a school campus," Palmerini said. Staff and the superintendent said they would draft resolution language, work with communications, and bring a proposed resolution back to the board for review and potential approval.

Ending: Staff agreed to draft a resolution and return it to the board for consideration; the draft will be prepared with communications and general counsel and presented to the board for further action.