Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Firearms Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House committee advances bill to lower long‑gun purchase age from 21 to 18 after heated testimony
Summary
The Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee reported HB133 favorably (11–5). Supporters urged restoration of 18‑year‑olds’ purchase rights; opponents cited Parkland, recent campus shootings and research on adolescent development and urged rejection.
The Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted to report House Bill 133 favorably after several hours of debate and extensive public testimony, advancing a proposal that would lower the minimum age to purchase a long gun in Florida from 21 to 18. The roll call recorded 11 yeas and 5 nays.
Sponsor Representative Troy told the committee HB133 "lowers the legal age to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18," framing the change as restoring rights to 18‑year‑olds. Troy argued that 18‑year‑olds already carry other civic responsibilities, saying the measure aligns purchase rights with voting and jury service.
The bill drew sharply divided testimony. Proponents included Jed Carroll of Gun Owners of America, who said the 2018 Parkland‑era changes "thrust" an "injustice" on law‑abiding, draft‑aged young people and asked the committee to "correct this massive infringement and find favorably on House Bill 133." Louis Valdez, GOA’s Southeast regional director, said litigation and recent court decisions support restoring purchase rights.
Opponents included Susan Gill of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and college students who described recent campus shootings. Gill told the committee that, according to her group’s presentation, "18 year olds to 21 year olds commit three times as many homicides as those over 21," and she urged members to "please choose to vote against House Bill 133." Student witness D’Mya Oliver recounted a personal experience with campus gunfire and said lowering the age "would only make things worse."
Members debated constitutional and public‑safety arguments. Lawmakers who supported the bill stressed fairness — noting an 18‑year‑old can possess or be gifted a long gun but not buy one — while opponents cited scientific research on frontal‑lobe development and said the 2018 law was a bipartisan response to Parkland and other tragedies. Rep. Gottlieb and others referenced Supreme Court decisions and adolescent brain research to argue younger buyers are more likely to be impulsive.
After debate the committee voted and Chair Alvarez announced, "Show HB133 reported favorably." The record shows 11 yeas and 5 nays, and the bill will move forward to the next stage in the legislative process.
