The National Rifle Association is taking Florida’s woke gun grab to the U.S. Supreme Court. On May 16, 2025, the NRA filed a petition challenging the state’s 2018 law that bars adults under 21 from buying long guns. This fight’s been brewing since Parkland, and it’s far from over.
Florida Phoenix reported that Florida’s law, passed after the tragic 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, stops 18-to-20-year-olds from purchasing rifles or shotguns.
The NRA’s been battling this restriction for four years, arguing it violates Second Amendment rights. It’s a classic case of emotion-driven policy clashing with constitutional protections.
The Parkland shooting, which claimed 17 lives, spurred Florida’s Legislature to act fast, with then-Gov. Rick Scott signed the ban into law.
But hasty laws often miss the mark. The NRA says this one punishes law-abiding young adults for the sins of a lone madman.
The NRA’s challenge hit a wall in 2022 when a three-judge panel from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against them.
Two years later, in March 2024, the full Eleventh Circuit doubled down, upholding Florida’s law. Some judges think the Constitution stops at age 21.
Not every court agrees, and that’s why the NRA’s knocking on the Supreme Court’s door. The Third, Fifth, and Eighth Circuits say adults under 21 have Second Amendment rights, while the Tenth and Eleventh back bans like Florida’s. This split screams for a definitive ruling.
The NRA’s petition for certiorari argues the Supreme Court needs to settle this mess. If young adults can vote, serve in the military, and marry, why can’t they buy a rifle? It’s a question that cuts through the fog of progressive moralizing.
Florida’s not exactly united on this issue. In March 2024, the Florida House passed HB 759, a bill to lower the gun-buying age back to 18. It’s the third year in a row the House has pushed this, showing plenty of lawmakers see the ban as overreach.
But the Florida Senate keeps hitting the brakes, and HB 759 hasn’t become law. This tug-of-war reflects a broader debate: safety versus liberty. The Senate’s hesitation suggests some politicians fear the optics of loosening gun laws post-Parkland.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier isn’t mincing words. “Restricting the right of law-abiding adults to purchase firearms is unconstitutional,” he posted on X on March 14, 2024. He’s got a point—punishing the innocent doesn’t fix the guilty.
Uthmeier doubled down, saying on X, “Men and women old enough to fight and die for our country should be able to purchase firearms.” It’s hard to argue with that logic. If 18-year-olds can defend America, they should be trusted to defend their homes.
The NRA’s case isn’t just about guns; it’s about who gets to claim constitutional protections. The Second Amendment doesn’t have an age limit, yet Florida’s law acts like it does. That’s a dangerous precedent for any right.
The Supreme Court’s decision to take this case—or not—could reshape how we view young adults’ freedoms. If they dodge it, the circuit court split will keep muddying the waters. Clarity’s overdue.
Florida’s law was born from tragedy, but good intentions don’t guarantee good policy. The Parkland shooting demanded action, but blanket bans on young adults’ rights feel like a knee-jerk reaction. Grief shouldn’t trump the Constitution.
The NRA’s been relentless, and their Supreme Court appeal shows they’re not backing down. They’re betting on the justices to affirm that 18-to-20-year-olds aren’t second-class citizens. It’s a bold move in a polarized climate.