In the wake of a recent fatal shooting at Florida State University (FSU), survivors from the Parkland shooting, which occurred in 2018, have reached out to Governor Ron DeSantis regarding his proposal to lower the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 21 to 18. This change would roll back a law enacted after the Parkland tragedy, one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. A group of 28 current FSU students expressed their concerns, labeling the proposed legislation as “unthinkable” and “dangerous.”
Colin, a survivor from the Parkland shooting and one of the group’s founders, emphasized the irony of potentially undoing a law believed to have saved lives over the past seven years amidst ongoing school shootings. DeSantis and other Republican lawmakers argue that if individuals are old enough to serve in the military, they should also be able to purchase guns.
While there is support for the measure, its future remains uncertain following FSU’s recent shooting, which left two dead and several injured. Florida Senate Speaker Ben Albritton has not yet made a decision on the proposal. A letter from the students highlights their trauma and the message this legislation sends about the value of their lives, referencing the Parkland shooter, who was 19 at the time of his crime and is now imprisoned. The situation is compounded by the legislative session nearing its end, creating a sense of urgency and concern among students and legislators alike. The hospital reported that three patients were expected to be released soon, while two others remained in good condition.
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