Eight years after the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the debate over gun policy in Florida is still evolving — and in some ways, reversing course.
Survivor Jaclyn Corin, now a leading voice with March for Our Lives, says the trauma of that day remains vivid. In the aftermath of the shooting, she and fellow students pushed for sweeping gun reforms across the state and country.
What changed right after Parkland
Then-Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that:
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Raised the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21
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Created a “red flag” law allowing courts to temporarily remove guns from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others
Those measures were seen as major bipartisan responses to the tragedy.
What’s changed more recently
In 2023, Florida lawmakers removed the requirement for a concealed carry license, allowing eligible residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Then in 2025, a judge ruled that open carry is legal in Florida — another significant shift.
Corin says those moves weren’t the direction she expected the state to take.
Ongoing debate over age limits
Some gun advocates, including vendors at Florida gun shows, argue the minimum age should return to 18. A bill lowering the rifle purchase age back to 18 has failed in recent years but has now passed the Florida House and is under consideration in the Senate.
Meanwhile, instructors still recommend obtaining a concealed weapons permit, even though it’s no longer required for concealed carry. A permit can:
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Allow reciprocity in dozens of other states
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Potentially speed up the purchasing process after a background check
The broader picture
The Florida Legislature continues to wrestle with balancing gun rights and public safety, while survivors and advocates say the memory of Parkland should remain central to the conversation.
For people like Corin, the policy shifts are personal. The trauma may fade with time for some, but for survivors, the stakes in these debates remain immediate and deeply felt.