California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a multistate coalition of attorneys general urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to uphold a 2021 district court decision that supports a Florida law prohibiting individuals under the age of 21 from purchasing firearms. The law also prevents federally licensed firearms dealers from selling firearms to anyone younger than 21. This legal brief, filed in the case National Rifle Association v. Commissioner, cautions that overturning the Florida law could weaken state efforts to implement similar age restrictions for public safety.
“States need the freedom to develop individualized firearms regulations tailored to the specific public safety needs and circumstances in their jurisdictions,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Many states across the nation, including California, impose some age-based restrictions on the possession, purchase, transfer, or use of firearms, reflecting their collective judgment that such laws promote public safety and curb gun violence within their borders. I stand with Florida and other states dedicated to safeguarding commonsense gun laws.”
Plaintiffs argued that Florida’s age limit law infringes upon Second Amendment rights for individuals aged 18 to 20. However, in 2021, a district court dismissed this claim based on historical evidence showing a longstanding tradition of restricting firearm access for those under 21. In 2023, an Eleventh Circuit three-judge panel evaluated the challenge using new guidelines from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen and upheld the district court's ruling.
Attorney General Bonta's ongoing efforts include launching an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, taking legal action against ghost gun retailers, advocating for commonsense gun laws, and announcing Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) aimed at strengthening California's concealed carry weapon laws. Additionally, Assembly Bill 1594 (AB 1594), sponsored by Bonta and enacted in July 2022, allows Californians affected by gun violence to hold manufacturers and distributors accountable.
The amicus brief is supported by attorneys general from Illinois, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington
A copy of the brief can be found here.