Overview
- House Bill 133 would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18, reversing a provision of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act.
- Representatives debated the measure Thursday with a vote expected later in the day, according to WPBF’s reporting from the House floor.
- Families of Parkland victims, including Manuel and Patricia Oliver, urged lawmakers to reject the bill during protests at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas memorial garden.
- A proposed amendment to add firearm safety and education requirements was withdrawn, leaving the bill without added safety language.
- Similar House efforts have stalled in recent years, and Senate President Ben Albritton indicated current trends suggest the bill does not have the votes in the Senate; the bill’s sponsor declined interview requests.