In the aftermath of a recent tragic shooting event, students at Florida State University, many of whom are survivors of the 2018 Parkland shooting, have called upon Governor Ron DeSantis to uphold the current firearm purchase age limit. This appeal comes as there are legislative efforts underway to lower the age from 21 to 18. The law initially raising the minimum age was enacted following the devastating mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, one of the deadliest in U.S. history.
The students’ plea is led by a member of March For Our Lives, an advocacy group established post-Parkland. They have expressed their concerns, labeling the proposed rollback as both “unthinkable” and “dangerous.” Many of these students, who previously demanded action after the Parkland tragedy, are now reliving similar horrors at FSU. They argue that the law has saved lives over the past seven years and find it ironic that it is being challenged following another school shooting.
Governor DeSantis, along with some Republican legislators, supports the proposed measure, reasoning that individuals eligible for military service should also be able to purchase firearms. However, the measure’s future remains uncertain as it has yet to be addressed in the state Senate. Senate President Ben Albritton, a lifelong NRA member, has shown reluctance, particularly after visiting the Parkland site where 17 lives were lost.
The FSU shooting, which occurred near the Florida Capitol, involved a 20-year-old student using a weapon previously owned by a law enforcement parent. This incident left two dead and six injured. In response, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare reported that several patients have been discharged and others are in stable condition.
The letter from the students emphasizes their stance, stating that reverting the law would not only dishonor those lost but also disregard the ongoing trauma felt by survivors. It sends a troubling message to students about their perceived value in the eyes of the state. The original law, passed in response to Parkland, where the shooter, a 19-year-old, is now serving a life sentence, reflects the students’ belief in its protective power.