Manny Oliver condemns bill to lower gun purchase age in Florida

In Florida, the House voted to reverse a law increasing the minimum age for buying rifles and long guns from 18 to 21, initially introduced after the tragic 2018 Parkland shooting. The bill passed with a vote of 78-34, although its future in the Senate remains uncertain. The original law was implemented to prevent young adults from easily accessing firearms following a mass shooting incident that claimed the lives of 17 individuals at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, perpetrated by Nikolas Cruz, who was just under the legal age for purchasing firearms. The debate surrounding the repeal has been intensely emotional, marked by testimonies and opposition from the victims' families, particularly from Manny Oliver, the father of Joaquin Oliver, a student killed in the shooting. Oliver and other parents advocate for stronger gun control measures rather than loosening restrictions, emphasizing that lowering the age for purchasing guns would not only be detrimental but could potentially lead to more tragic events. They argue, for instance, that an age limit helps protect young people who are not yet fully mature. Supporters of the bill argue for the consistency of rights granted to 18-year-olds, allowing them to vote and serve in the military while still restricting their ability to purchase firearms. However, the moral argument against such a law, especially in light of the Parkland incident, remains strong among advocates for gun control. The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has shown support for the bill by addressing Second Amendment rights in recent speeches. Many gun rights advocates echo this sentiment, contending that young adults should have the right to defend themselves. This clash of values highlights the ongoing national debate over gun control, particularly in states like Florida, which remains one of the few states with a minimum purchasing age set at 21.