The Gun Owners of America, in a statement to The Floridan, applauded Rep. Tyler Sirois (R-Meritt Island) for introducing legislation in the House to lower the minimum legal age for buying all types of firearms in Florida from 21 back down to 18 years old.
But while commending the initiative, GOA Florida State Director Luis Valdes criticized the state's Republican supermajority for lagging on reversing course on the law, which has gone on for years.
"This marks the fourth consecutive year that such legislation has been filed. It is deeply troubling that a Republican supermajority legislature has yet to repeal this unconstitutional gun control — and it is extremely appalling that a Republican supermajority enacted it in the first place," Valdes wrote.
The Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization looking to protect and preserve the rights of gun owners under the Second Amendment (2A).
Rep. Sirois' bill, HB 133, would repeal Florida’s under-21 firearm prohibition set in 2018 in response to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, which killed 17 people.
Passed in the Florida Legislature, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act was signed into law by former Republican Gov. Rick Scott.
Most recently, Rep. Sirois tried to repeal the state's minimum age requirement during the 2025 legislative session. The bill, HB 759, passed in the House but failed to receive a floor vote in the Senate.
"Florida’s Republican lawmakers often campaign as defenders of the Second Amendment, but actions speak louder than words," Valdes added. "Their continued inaction on restoring these rights is deafening. Let's see if 2026 finally marks a difference or if the RINOs in the legislature continue to be RINOs and block its passage."
More specifically, HB 133 would permit 18-year-olds to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer and get rid of a ban against licensed firearm importers, manufacturers, or dealers selling or transferring a gun to anyone under the current age.
The Florida GOP currently has 86 members in the House and 26 in the Senate, as well as a Republican governor.
A Senate version of HB 133 has not been filed.
Will the Republican lawmakers' latest attempt to repeal the minimum age requirement be successful? Or will gun rights advocates again be disappointed?
If passed, HB 133 would take effect on July 1, 2026.
"GOA will continue fighting until all law-abiding Floridians aged 18 and older can fully exercise their Second Amendment rights," Valdes concluded.
