Florida moves forward with a proposal to allow gun purchases starting at 18 years old

The Florida House of Representatives approved a bill that lowers the minimum age for purchasing or transferring firearms from 21 to 18 years, a decision that reignites a sensitive debate in the state.

With 74 votes in favor and 37 against, lawmakers supported measure HB 133, which would allow young people aged 18 to purchase firearms, provided the acquisition is made through an authorized importer, manufacturer, or distributor, according to Telemundo 51.

Currently, Florida legislation sets the minimum age for this type of transaction at 21, a restriction implemented after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Pending with the Senate and the governor

Although the House of Representatives has approved the bill, the initiative still needs to be passed by the state Senate and subsequently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis to become law.

If the legislative process is completed, the regulation would come into effect on July 1, 2026.

A debate that returns to the center of state politics

The proposal has generated opposing positions. Its supporters argue that citizens aged 18 are already considered adults for other legal rights and responsibilities, while its detractors raise concerns about public safety risks and the impact on armed violence.

The debate now moves to the Florida Senate, where the future of the measure remains uncertain.