TALLAHASSEE, F.L. — Today, volunteers with the Florida chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held a virtual press conference alongside lawmakers including Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky to oppose HB 759, a bill that would rollback post-Parkland legislation to lower the age to purchase a firearm back down from 21 to 18. Lawmakers, gun violence survivors, and advocates voiced urgent concerns about the bill’s threat to Florida communities and emphasized the critical importance of protecting the gun safety progress the state has made in the wake of the horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Tomorrow, Florida House lawmakers will vote on the bill.
“HB 759 is a dangerous step backwards in public safety. This bill unravels critical bipartisan safeguards put into place after one of the darkest moments in Florida’s history,” said Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell. “Friends and families of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas mass shooting pleaded with the legislature to pass a law to make Florida safer and prevent another tragedy. Stripping this protection is reckless, and a betrayal of Florida’s bipartisan commitment to the families who demanded action.”
“Lowering the age back to 18 after we raised it to 21 for the purchase of long guns is going in the wrong direction,” said Leader Pro Tempore Rep. Christine Hunschofsky. “The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act has been the gold standard, exhibited by the fact that gun violence has gone down. We need to continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe. Right now, our laws are working and we should keep it that way.”
“In the military, we have strict standards of safety, training, and accountability. While 18-year-olds serve in the military and operate firearms, this is only possible after strict instruction, risk assessment, and rigorous training,” said Tom Hixon, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and gun violence survivor. His father, Chris Hixon, was shot and killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in 2017. “If we wouldn’t let an 18- to 20-year-old defend themselves and others in combat without in depth firearms training, we shouldn’t let them go into our neighborhoods or communities armed without it either.”
“In Florida, firearms are the second leading cause of death for children and teens. That’s not just a statistic; it’s real lives, real families, and real friends we’re losing. We need to do everything we can to prevent these tragedies,” said Nasze West, a volunteer with the Florida chapter of Students Demand Action and a gun violence survivor. Her friend was shot and killed. “Unfortunately, I know firsthand the dangers of teenagers having access to firearms. There’s no greater heartbreak than losing someone close to you at the hands of another individual. Please do not make this crisis worse with more bad bills that do nothing to help our state’s gun violence crisis.”
HB 759 would lower the age to purchase guns in Florida to allow 18-20 year olds to purchase semi-automatic rifles, such as AR-15s and other assault weapons. It would also allow 18-20 year olds to purchase handguns from unlicensed sellers–with no background check. People aged 18 to 20 are three times more likely to commit gun homicides than those 21 and older. Lowering the age for purchase back down to 18 directly endangers the safety of young people and all Floridians. When firearms are the second leading cause of death for children and teens in Florida, lawmakers have a responsibility to be doing everything possible to prevent tragedies, not further enable them.
Florida was devastated by the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that shattered families and communities across the state. An alarming three out of four active shooter incidents at K-12 schools are carried out by current or former students. The shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a former student, legally purchased the firearm used to shoot and kill 17 people and injure 17 more—at just 19 years old. Lowering the age to purchase a gun goes against the will of law enforcement, local authorities, and other public safety experts who know this bill will only exacerbate gun violence and make it easier for kids and dangerous people to carry guns. Furthermore, policies like this fail students, teachers, and communities by opening up the sale of firearms to current or recently graduated students. Make no mistake—this bill does nothing to prevent tragedies, it actually puts Floridians at greater risk for them.
Earlier this month, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals en banc ruled to uphold Florida’s law barring individuals under 21 from purchasing firearms, ruling it constitutional. Rather than fighting to dismantle constitutional safeguards that protect communities across the state, lawmakers should prioritize common-sense gun safety laws over increasing firearm access. Florida law requires secure storage if a minor under 16 could access a gun, but it should also mandate secure storage in vehicles, as car theft is now the leading source of stolen firearms. While many gun owners follow safe storage practices, research shows that over half do not. Secure storage ultimately helps keep families and communities safe.
In an average year, 3,108 people die by guns. With a rate of 13.7 deaths per 100,000 people, Florida has the 33rd-highest rate of gun deaths in the US. Gun violence costs Florida $40.3 billion each year, of which $875.9 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Florida is available here.
If you would like to speak to a Florida volunteer with Students Demand Action or Moms Demand Action or a policy expert, please do not hesitate to reach out.