In a decision that reinforces the age boundaries on gun purchases, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a Florida statute raising the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns from 18 to 21, drawing from "historical tradition of firearm regulation" as justification for its ruling. As reported by WFTV, this law came into the spotlight following the Parkland school tragedy, where a 19-year-old carried out a mass shooting using a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle.

Amidst legal battles initiated by the National Rifle Association against the law's constitutionality, Chief Judge William Pryor, representing the majority in the appeals court, stated that "From this history emerges a straightforward conclusion: the Florida law is consistent with our regulatory tradition in why and how it burdens the right of minors to keep and bear arms," in a statement reported by CBS News, although dissenting Judge Andrew Brasher challenged this stance, arguing "This is where the majority opinion loses its bearings."

With the court's decision, which allows minors to possess firearms given by parents or other responsible adults despite the purchase prohibition, tension rises as Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced he will not defend the law and Gov. Ron DeSantis has signaled his support for modifying the said gun laws, a movement that gains complexity as a state House panel recently passed a measure to repeal the age restriction; however, the ultimate fate of the bill remains to be seen in the Senate, per information from FOX 35 Orlando.

While the legal debate persists, with the possibility of escalation to the U.S. Supreme Court, the court's decision has received mixed reactions from political figures. "Men and women old enough to fight and die for our country should be able to purchase firearms to defend themselves and their families," James Uthmeier posted on social media, according to FOX 35 Orlando.