Bill to lower age of purchasing firearms in Florida passes first House panel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida bill that would lower the age for purchasing firearms passed 11-5 through its first House committee Tuesday.

The legislation amends the law to reduce the minimum age requirement to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18, which applies to purchases from either a federal firearms licensee, also known as an FFL, or a private seller, according to the bill’s analysis.

In 2018, Florida raised the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21. Prior to 2018, the minimum age to purchase a long gun was 18 and the minimum age to purchase a handgun was 21, consistent with federal law.

HB 1223 is being carried by Reps. Bobby Payne, R- Palatka, and Tyler Sirois, R-Merritt Island. A companion bill has yet to be filed in the Senate.

The cosponsors attempted to lower the age to 18 for long guns in the 2023 legislative session; however, the bill died and was not taken up by the Senate.

Since the sale of a handgun by an FFL to a person under 21 years of age remains prohibited under federal law, a person under 21 would not be able to purchase a handgun from an FFL in Florida.

Under the bill, a person who is 18 years of age or older may purchase a handgun from a private seller.

The bill also reduces from 21 to 18 the minimum age of a purchaser to which a federal firearms licensee may make or facilitate a sale or transfer of a firearm.

Multiple representatives and members of the public spoke against the bill during debate.

Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg, opposed the bill and said it is “not in the best interest of public policy and public safety.”

If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.