Florida lawmakers tackle key agenda items in the opening days of the 2026 legislative session, and Speaker of the Florida House Daniel Perez shares his views on the top goals of lawmakers this year.

Florida House approves bill to lower the minimum age to buy long guns

The Florida House on Thursday approved a proposal to lower the state’s minimum age to buy long guns from 21 to 18 years old.

The bill, one of the more controversial measures of the 2026 legislative session, would undo a key part of the bipartisan gun-safety package signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott after a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Supporters argue the current age limit restricts law-abiding adults, impacting their ability to hunt and/or protect themselves.

“Where I live, way back in the woods, there are things that just need a bullet,” said Rep. Dean Black, a Yulee Republican sponsoring the measure. “There are things that must be shot.”

Democrats warn the proposal could lead to more deadly incidents.

“I’m a gun owner myself and a former prosecutor,” said Rep. Dan Daley, a Coral Springs Democrat. “I’m not coming for anybody’s guns. I just think we need to be a little bit more reasonable, a little bit more responsible with them.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis has voiced support for such policies, telling lawmakers Tuesday in his State of the State address.

“Get the bills to my desk in the spirit of 1776,” DeSantis said. “I’m happy to put my John Hancock on those pieces of legislation.”

The Senate, however, remains a hurdle. Senate President Ben Albritton, a Bartow Republican, noted the chamber has rejected similar efforts for three consecutive years and that it’s unclear whether sentiment has shifted.

“This last year, they were not supportive of it,” Albritton told reporters. “I have not heard anything different this year.”

Florida is one of only four states that restrict long gun sales to those 21 or older, alongside California and Colorado.

Thursday’s debate comes after last April’s mass shooting near Florida State University left two people dead — just blocks away from the state capitol.

“It’s been less than a year since the shooting happened on April 17,” said FSU student Madalyn Propst. “And we’re already thinking about making it easier for what happened to me to happen to other kids.”

The House-approved measure applies only to long guns such as rifles and shotguns. The Senate has not yet scheduled a hearing on the bill.

Florida House speaker discusses legislative session and Republican priorities

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez is entering year two as the leader of the lower chamber. He brought a unique style to the job last year, embracing caucus goals over personal ones.

But as much as any of those legislative priorities, it’s his relationship with his fellow Republicans that has garnered some of the closest attention.

Political Connections’ Ybeth Bruzual sat down with the speaker to talk about some of those relationships, and how national politics impact his work in Tallahassee.