Laws regarding firearms stir strong feelings among a great many people. They’re among the most hotly debated laws in the country. That can make things confusing for those who want to be law-abiding gun owners. Right now, the law that raised the minimum age for Floridians to legally purchase a gun is still in place.
As our readers may know, Florida lawmakers raised the minimum age for gun purchases from 18 to 21 just a month after a 19-year-old killed 17 people at a Parkland high school in February 2018. That law has been contested by the National Rifle Association (NRA), which took it to an appeals court. The group has argued that it’s unconstitutional.
The state legislature could effectively undo the court’s ruling
That court recently voted unanimously to uphold the law. The judge who wrote the opinion said that the law is in fact “consistent with our Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.” In noting that a number of other states have raised the age from 18 to 21 years of age, he said that these changes “were state responses to the problem of deaths and injuries that underage firearm users inflicted.”
That may not be the end of that. The current Florida legislature is considering changes to the law that could lower the age for legal purchase back to 18.
In the meantime, it’s important for anyone who owns a firearm or is considering purchasing one to be aware of the current laws both on the state and federal levels. Illegally possessing a firearm can carry serious penalties. Further, the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime, whether it’s legally owned or not, can increase the penalties. If you or a loved one is facing weapons-related charges, it’s crucial to have legal guidance to protect your rights and make the best decisions for your future.