Former Assistant Principal Advocates for Gun Safety, Opposes Bill to Lower Firearm Purchase Age

Catherine Donovan, a Boca Raton resident, is fighting to prevent tragedies like the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Catherine Donovan, a former assistant principal at a middle school near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, is now an advocate for gun safety laws and proper firearm storage. She has spoken out against a Florida bill that would lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18, and she is focused on educating the public about the importance of responsible gun ownership.

Why it matters

Donovan's advocacy for gun safety comes in the wake of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which claimed the lives of 17 students and staff. As an educator who was close to the tragedy, Donovan feels a personal responsibility to speak out and try to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

The details

Donovan, a gun owner herself, has traveled to Tallahassee to oppose House Bill 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18. She believes this would be a "terrible mistake" and points to studies showing that gun deaths remain the leading cause of death among young people. Beyond legislation, Donovan is also focused on educating the public about the importance of safe gun storage, noting that unsecured firearms often lead to tragic accidents.

  • On February 14, 2018, a gunman killed 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
  • Donovan recently traveled to Tallahassee to speak out against House Bill 133, which is currently in the Florida Senate.

The players

Catherine Donovan

A former assistant principal at Sawgrass Springs Middle School, located near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Donovan is now a gun owner and advocate for gun safety laws and proper firearm storage.

House Bill 133

A bill in the Florida legislature that would lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18, rolling back part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

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What they’re saying

“To go through that and not see our children go through that, and the poor parents, the whole community, it affects the whole community.”

— Catherine Donovan, Former Assistant Principal (wptv.com)

“Recently I went up for 133, which they're trying to lower the age back to 18, which is a terrible mistake.”

— Catherine Donovan, Former Assistant Principal (wptv.com)

“Every time I see a news show, there's some child who's grabbed a gun that's not locked up.”

— Catherine Donovan, Former Assistant Principal (wptv.com)

“We can prevent all gun accidents; we just have to have them locked up. We just want safety, we just want our students to be safe in school, our little ones to be safe at work.”

— Catherine Donovan, Former Assistant Principal (wptv.com)

What’s next

The Florida Senate will decide whether to pass House Bill 133, which would lower the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 21 to 18.

The takeaway

Donovan's advocacy highlights the ongoing debate around gun safety and the need to balance individual rights with public safety, especially in the wake of tragic events like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Her message emphasizes the importance of responsible gun ownership and storage to prevent future tragedies.