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TALLAHASSEE, FL — A newly introduced bill in the Florida House of Representatives, HB 759, aims to roll back the minimum age requirement for purchasing firearms in the state from 21 to 18 years old. The bill, filed by Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-1) on February 19, 2025, is currently making its way through legislative committees and is expected to be a key issue in the ongoing debate over Second Amendment rights in Florida.

What the Bill Does

The proposed legislation amends Section 790.065 of the Florida Statutes, specifically lowering the minimum age for purchasing firearms to 18. This change would reverse part of the 2018 law that raised the minimum age to 21 in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting. The bill also maintains the prohibition on licensed firearm dealers selling or transferring guns to anyone under 18, meaning that those underage restrictions remain intact.

Notably, the bill removes an exception that previously allowed certain groups—such as law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active-duty military personnel—to purchase rifles and shotguns under the age of 21. Under HB 759, all law-abiding citizens 18 and older would regain the right to purchase firearms.

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1, 2025.

Governor Calls for Stronger Second Amendment Protections

Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the issue during his State of the State address on March 4, 2025, urging lawmakers to strengthen Florida’s gun rights laws. In his speech, DeSantis criticized Florida for having “some of the weaker laws in the country” compared to other conservative states. He specifically pointed to red flag laws and restrictions on young adults purchasing firearms as areas needing reform.

“We need to be a strong Second Amendment state… Look back in instances where legislation may have been passed in recent years, such as shifting the burden on red flag laws, such as taking away the rights of young adults to be able to purchase firearms… Let’s get some positive reform done.”

Legislative Progress and What’s Next

The bill was referred to the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the Judiciary Committee, where it received a favorable vote on March 12, 2025. It is now awaiting further debate in the Judiciary Committee before heading to a potential floor vote in the Florida House.

If the bill passes both chambers of the Florida Legislature and is signed by the governor, it would reinstate the pre-2018 age limit for purchasing firearms. Florida would then join several other states that allow legal adults (18+) to buy rifles, shotguns, and handguns without additional age-based restrictions.

Second Amendment Implications

HB 759 is a critical step toward restoring the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding young adults in Florida. Under current law, 18- to 20-year-olds—legal adults—are unjustly barred from purchasing firearms, despite the fact that they can vote, serve in the military, sign contracts, and be held fully responsible under the law. This bill seeks to correct that unconstitutional overreach and ensure that all Floridians enjoy their fundamental right to self-defense.

Opponents will predictably claim that restricting gun rights for young adults somehow makes the public safer. However, punishing law-abiding citizens for the actions of criminals is both unjust and ineffective. The vast majority of violent crime is committed by those who already disregard the law, not responsible gun owners. Stripping an entire group of adults of their right to bear arms does nothing to stop crime—it only makes it harder for them to protect themselves.

As HB 759 moves forward, it represents an important victory for gun rights advocates and a necessary correction to the misguided policies that have infringed on the rights of young adults for years. Florida has the opportunity to reaffirm its status as a strong pro-Second Amendment state, and this legislation is a major step in the right direction.