Young People Aged 18 to 20 are Three Times More Likely to Commit Gun Homicides Than Those Aged 21 and Older
Yesterday, Florida lawmakers passed HB 759 out of the House, a bill that would rollback post-Parkland legislation to lower the age to purchase a firearm back down from 21 to 18. Only six Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, despite strong opposition from gun safety advocates, survivors, and lawmakers. On Monday, gun violence survivors and lawmakers held a press conference to call on lawmakers in the house to vote against the bill. This dangerous bill would lower the minimum age to purchase guns, including semi-automatic rifles such as AR-15s and other assault weapons like the one used by the teenage shooter in Parkland, who legally purchased the weapon used in the shooting.
“Let’s not mince words, this is a slap in the face to anyone whose life was forever changed after the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland. This is a slap in the face to gun survivors across our state, period,” said Katie Hathaway, a volunteer with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Teenagers have no business buying deadly weapons, especially not weapons of war like an AR-15. It is shameful that our lawmakers would rather cower to the gun lobby than stand up against legislation that is so obviously dangerous. What’s even more disappointing is that only six Republicans had the courage to stand against this bill, while the rest of their caucus chose to turn their backs on our communities.”
Not only would HB 759 lower the age to purchase guns in Florida to allow 18-20 year olds to purchase semi-automatic rifles, 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.
After the horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Republican lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott took action to pass common sense policies designed to prevent another tragedy from happening again. Despite the fact that Gov. DeSantis and Republican lawmakers are backtracking by attempting to pass HB 759, bipartisan efforts to protect Florida communities from gun violence are still happening. On Monday, both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate Committee voted down a bill that would allow firearms on college campuses, including dorms. Lawmakers must continue to stand together and reject reckless gun bills that put lives in danger—just as they did earlier this week—to safeguard young people from the ongoing threat of gun violence.
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 18 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 secure 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.