Age change to buy a handgun.

[mikecu]

The 2023 statutes say the private sale age is 18 for a handgun. How & when did it change to 21 without the 2024 statute update?

[Tenzing_Norgay]

HB 1223 amends s. 790.065(13), F.S., to reduce the minimum age requirement to purchase a firearm from 21
to 18, which applies to purchases from either an FFL or a private seller. The bill also reduces from 21 to 18 the
minimum age of a purchaser to which an FFL may make or facilitate a sale or transfer of a firearm.
Under the bill, a person who is 18 years of age or older and who is not otherwise prohibited from purchasing a
firearm may purchase a long gun from either an FFL or a private seller.
Since the sale of a handgun by an FFL to a person under 21 years of age remains prohibited under Federal
law, a person under the age of 21 would not be able to purchase a handgun from an FFL in Florida. Under the
bill, a person who is 18 years of age or older may purchase a handgun from a private seller.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state or local governments.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.

[Miami_JBT]

HB 1223 amends s. 790.065(13), F.S., to reduce the minimum age requirement to purchase a firearm from 21
to 18, which applies to purchases from either an FFL or a private seller. The bill also reduces from 21 to 18 the
minimum age of a purchaser to which an FFL may make or facilitate a sale or transfer of a firearm.
Under the bill, a person who is 18 years of age or older and who is not otherwise prohibited from purchasing a
firearm may purchase a long gun from either an FFL or a private seller.
Since the sale of a handgun by an FFL to a person under 21 years of age remains prohibited under Federal
law, a person under the age of 21 would not be able to purchase a handgun from an FFL in Florida. Under the
bill, a person who is 18 years of age or older may purchase a handgun from a private seller.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state or local governments.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.

HB 1223 did not pass and become law. It died in the Senate on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 2:25 PM when session ended. It passed the House, but Senate President Kathleen Passidomo refused to advance the bill in the Senate.