The second amendment grants Americans the right to purchase and own firearms. However, this has led to a lot of unfortunate events that have caused many Florida lawmakers to add stipulations to create balance.
Recent decisions to add stipulations were made after the Parkland shooting in 2018, as a part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act. According to Sage Journals, dating back to 1982, there has been a significant increase in mass shootings in the U.S.
Specifically, in the state of Florida there has been a growing concern over youth, guns, and gun violence. According to actionfund.sandyhookpromise,org, gun fire was the 2nd leading cause of death for children in the state of Florida. Additionally, some of the laws and regulations in the sunshine state seem to contradict each other.
Currently, the required age of eligibility to purchase, own or trade a firearm is 21 years old or older. However, an individual under the age of 21 is legally allowed to possess the gun if the weapon was gifted and not purchased directly by the recipient according to the Florida senate.
Other laws have been appealed or completely dismantled such as the requirement to own a firearm. In July 2023 Florida passed the “Permit-less carry” law granting Florida citizens the right to carry a concealed firearm without a state-issued license, training or background check.
Yet, gun shop owners are still required by federal law to complete background checks on anyone of legal age requesting to purchase a gun, in addition to using personal discretion ensuring that the potential buyer is of sane mind. Also, there are areas that are considered “carry free” zones, which could cause even further confusion.
Jack Pickett, owner of Harry Beckwith Guns and Range and Pickett Weaponry, shared his thoughts on the duty gunowners have individually stating, “I firmly believe it is your right to carry a firearm. It is your responsibility to know how to use it correctly and lovingly.”
Just as the gun industry has continued to grow, gun violence control groups have begun to also strengthen in numbers. California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas had some of the highest leading numbers in gun sales in 2024.
Florida is not one of the leading states of gun-ownership, instead only about 35% of individuals in the state of Florida that possess a gun actually own the weapon legally. This poses an issue because without proper legal clearance of gun ownership liability increases.
Cathy Swerdlow, the gun violence prevention chair of Florida’s league of women voters shared that homicides shouldn’t be the only concern on the radar. “You need to be aware of the risk of suicide by guns if it gets into the wrong person’s hand.”
Studies have found a link between increased gun ownership and suicide, and Florida is one of the leading states with higher suicide rates. A noticeable spike in gun purchases began when COVID-19 happened, which also increased longer periods of isolation.
Economic downturns, a struggling job market and stressful personal events create more opportunities for unchecked mental health episodes. Proper coping mechanisms and gun training and safety would work as a good educational tool to inform anyone interested in purchasing and owning a firearm.
Another issue that continues to be mentioned is maturity and whether 18 is the right age for someone to be able to purchase, own, and operate a gun.
“If we’re going to say that an 18-year-old is not responsible enough to have a firearm, not responsible enough to purchase a firearm, then are 18-year-olds responsible enough to vote. Are they responsible enough to do the things that they do?” said retired military veteran and former Vermont state trooper, George Rodriguez who now owns his own firearms training academy, Viking 6 tactical.
In addition to HB 133, there are over a dozen other gun bills present, and awaiting a final decision. Some of the bills have failed to get a committee hearing for years. HB 133 has specifically been filled four times now to appeal the decision made to ban anyone under the age of 18 from purchasing long guns.
Arguments over the age requirement being enforced continue to make news, with some claiming it is unconstitutional. As citizens await the final decision, which could go either way, state representative Christine Hunschofsky, stated the Stoneman Douglas High School Safety Act has “stood the test of time” opposing the purpose of HB 133.
