Florida's Shifting Gun Laws After Parkland Shooting

Debates over gun restrictions and rights continue in the state since the 2018 school tragedy.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In the years since the deadly 2018 Parkland school shooting, Florida has seen a mix of tightened and loosened gun laws. While the state initially passed measures like raising the minimum age to buy a gun and allowing courts to temporarily take guns from those deemed dangerous, more recent changes have eliminated the concealed carry license requirement and legalized open carry. These shifts have drawn criticism from Parkland survivors like Jaclyn Corin, who say the state is not moving in the expected direction on gun policy.

Why it matters

The Parkland shooting was a pivotal moment that sparked a national debate over gun laws and gun violence in schools. Florida's evolving policies in the aftermath reflect the ongoing tensions and disagreements over how to balance public safety, individual rights, and the legacy of the tragedy.

The details

After the Parkland shooting, then-Governor Rick Scott signed a law raising the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 and creating a "red flag" law allowing courts to temporarily remove guns from those deemed dangerous. However, in more recent years, state lawmakers have eliminated the concealed carry license requirement and a judge ruled that open carry is legal in Florida. These changes have drawn criticism from Parkland survivor Jaclyn Corin, who says the state is not moving in the expected direction on gun policy.

  • The Parkland school shooting occurred in 2018.
  • In the years since the shooting, Florida has passed both tighter and looser gun laws.
  • In 2023, state lawmakers eliminated the requirement for a concealed carry license.
  • Last year, a judge ruled that open carry is legal in Florida.

The players

Jaclyn Corin

A Parkland school shooting survivor who helped launch the March for Our Lives movement advocating for stricter gun laws.

Rick Scott

The former governor of Florida who signed a bill into law increasing the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 after the Parkland shooting.

John Helms

A firearms instructor who says getting a concealed carry license can speed up the process of buying a gun at a gun show.

Robert Geisler

The general manager of the Florida gun show, who says he'd like to see the minimum purchasing age come back down to 18.

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What they’re saying

“I remember what it was like to hide in the corner of my classroom. I remember who I was between. I remember the three hours that passed waiting for the FBI to come clear us out.”

— Jaclyn Corin (CBS News)

“This is not the trajectory I expected Florida to take.”

— Jaclyn Corin (CBS News)

“Number one laws can change. They may go back on open carry. I like to travel with my gun. If I go out of the state if I don't have a license I can't travel to any state without it. With the Florida concealed weapons permit you can travel to 37 other states.”

— John Helms, Firearms instructor (CBS News)

“If you're 18 you're able to go Into the military. You're an adult you're able to carry a machine gun you're able to sign your life away. If you're an adult and you're 18 you can go to the military you should be able to purchase a rifle.”

— Robert Geisler, Florida gun show general manager (CBS News)

What’s next

State lawmakers have tried passing a bill lowering the minimum age to buy a rifle back down to 18, but it has failed the last three years. This year's version of the bill has passed the house and is now in the senate.

The takeaway

Florida's shifting gun laws in the years since the Parkland shooting reflect the ongoing national debate over balancing public safety, individual rights, and the legacy of tragedies like this. The state's policies have evolved in both tighter and looser directions, drawing criticism from some Parkland survivors who hoped for a clearer path forward on gun control.