TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Tuesday for the start of the 2026 legislative session, facing a packed agenda of transportation reforms, education proposals, and public‑safety debates. Yet one issue that has resurfaced year after year is once again taking center stage: the push to lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm in Florida.

The proposal, filed as House Bill 133, would reduce the minimum age to buy a firearm from 21 back down to 18 — reversing a key provision of the 2018 post‑Parkland gun‑safety law. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Tyler Sirois and has already advanced through multiple committees ahead of the session’s opening day.

A Recurring Fight Returns to the Capitol

The debate over firearm age limits has become a recurring flashpoint in Tallahassee. HB 133 marks the third consecutive attempt by House Republicans to roll back the age requirement, which was raised to 21 after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 students and staff.

Supporters of the rollback argue that 18‑year‑olds are legal adults who can vote, serve in the military, and enter contracts — and therefore should be allowed to purchase long guns. Opponents, including many Parkland families, say the 2018 law was a critical safeguard and should remain in place.

The House has passed similar measures in previous years, but the Senate has repeatedly declined to take them up. However, this year’s political landscape is shifting, and lawmakers on both sides acknowledge that the bill may have a stronger chance than in past sessions.

What HB 133 Would Do

HB 133 proposes several key changes:

• Reduce the minimum age to purchase any firearm from 21 to 18.
• Remove existing exceptions that currently apply to certain firearm transfers.
• Take effect July 1, 2026, if passed and signed into law.

The bill has already cleared the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and the House Judiciary Committee, positioning it for a full House vote early in the session.

A Broader Legislative Landscape

While the gun‑age debate is drawing significant attention, it is far from the only issue on lawmakers’ plates. The 2026 session includes proposals on:

• Gun storage requirements for firearms left in vehicles, part of a broader public‑safety package.
• Transportation reforms, including changes to booster‑seat age requirements and school crosswalk safety rules.
• Vehicle registration changes, including a proposal to eliminate license‑plate registration stickers — a measure supported by the governor.

Still, the gun‑age bill remains one of the most politically charged items on the docket.

Parkland Families Split, Senate Still a Question Mark

The push to lower the age has divided families of Parkland victims. Some argue that the 2018 reforms went too far and unfairly restrict responsible young adults. Others say the rollback would undo hard‑won protections enacted in the wake of tragedy.

The Senate’s stance remains uncertain. In 2025, Senate President Ben Albritton opposed the measure, but he has not publicly committed to a position for the 2026 session.

Without Senate support, the bill cannot reach the governor’s desk — a reality that has derailed similar efforts in previous years.

What Happens Next

With committee hearings completed and the session now underway, HB 133 is expected to reach the House floor within days. If passed, the bill would move to the Senate, where its fate is far less predictable.

As lawmakers begin weeks of debate, Florida once again finds itself at the center of a national conversation about gun laws, youth rights, and public safety.