Florida Republican lawmakers are moving forward with a proposal to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault rifles in the state from 18 to 21 despite the opposition of the National Rifle Association. “It doesn’t complicate my efforts,” Republican state Sen. Bill Galvano, the next Senate president, said Thursday, when asked about the NRA’s position. Under federal law, licensed purchasers of handguns must be 21, but states can set the age for rifle purchases. Galvano said he had discussed his proposal for raising the age with Republican Gov. Republican Senate President Joe Negron said Thursday afternoon that the final proposal was a work in progress and would have to carefully balance constitutional rights with protecting public safety.

Source: Washington Post February 22, 2018 19:58 UTC