In the wake of a recent tragic shooting, a group of Florida State University students, who previously endured the devastating Parkland mass shooting in 2018, have addressed a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, urging him to halt initiatives aimed at reducing the minimum firearm purchase age to 18. The current law, which sets the age at 21, was implemented as part of a comprehensive gun reform package following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, one of the most lethal school shootings in U.S. history.
These students, many of whom experienced both the Parkland shooting and the recent incident at FSU, are advocating for the preservation of the current legislation. This group, led by a co-founder of March For Our Lives, a movement born from the Parkland tragedy, expressed strong opposition to the proposed change, labeling it as “unthinkable” and “dangerous.” They emphasized that the law has saved lives over the past several years and warned against reversing the progress made since 2018.
Governor DeSantis, alongside Republican legislators, supports lowering the age limit, arguing that individuals eligible for military service should also have the right to purchase firearms. Despite backing from Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, Senate President Ben Albritton has shown reluctance to fully endorse the measure. Albritton, a lifetime NRA member, was visibly moved when recounting his visit to the site of the Parkland shooting, reflecting on the gravity of the event.
The recent university shooting, occurring just minutes from the Florida Capitol, has cast uncertainty over the proposed legislation’s future. The bill has not yet been reviewed by the state Senate, with the legislative session set to conclude shortly. The students’ letter stressed that reversing the age limit would dishonor the victims of both the Parkland and Tallahassee shootings, undermining the protection the law provides.
The 2018 legislation was a direct response to the Parkland shooting, where the perpetrator, a 19-year-old, is now serving a life sentence. The latest incident at FSU involved a 20-year-old student using a former service weapon belonging to their parent, a deputy sheriff, resulting in two fatalities and six injuries.
Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare reported that several victims have been discharged from the hospital, with others expected to leave soon. One patient remains hospitalized but is in stable condition.