In recent years, Florida has seen significant debate and legislative activity surrounding the regulation of semiautomatic firearms, particularly in response to high-profile mass shootings. However, as of May 2025, there is no new law in effect that broadly bans semiautomatic guns in Florida. Instead, the state has considered, but not enacted, several measures that would restrict or ban certain semiautomatic firearms, especially those defined as “assault weapons.”
In 2019, a citizen-led initiative titled “Prohibits possession of defined assault weapons” sought to ban the possession of certain semiautomatic rifles and shotguns in Florida. The proposal defined assault weapons as semiautomatic rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition at once, either in fixed or detachable magazines or any other ammunition-feeding device. Notably, this definition excluded handguns from the ban.
The measure included exemptions for military and law enforcement personnel in their official duties and allowed for the registration of assault weapons lawfully possessed before the law’s effective date.
The initiative also proposed criminal penalties for violations.
The proposed amendment did not make it onto the 2022 ballot. The Florida Supreme Court ultimately ruled the measure unconstitutional in June 2020, preventing it from moving forward.
As a result, no statewide ban on semiautomatic rifles or shotguns has been enacted in Florida.
Florida law does not currently ban the possession or sale of semiautomatic firearms for most adults. However, there are enhanced penalties for possessing a machine gun or a semiautomatic firearm with a magazine capacity of more than 20 centerfire cartridges during the commission of a serious crime.
The state constitution recognizes the right to keep and bear arms but allows for regulation of the manner of bearing arms.
After the 2018 Parkland shooting, Florida raised the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns, including semiautomatic rifles, from 18 to 21. This law was upheld by a federal appeals court in 2023 and 2024, despite ongoing efforts to repeal it.
There has been ongoing legislative debate about further restricting or loosening gun laws. For example, bills have been introduced to repeal the age restriction on long gun purchases, but these have not become law due to lack of support in the state Senate.
Gun control advocates continue to push for stricter regulations, while opponents argue such measures infringe on constitutional rights and do not enhance public safety.
No new law banning semiautomatic guns is in effect in Florida as of May 2025.
A proposed ban on semiautomatic rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than 10 rounds was ruled unconstitutional and did not become law.
Florida continues to restrict the sale of long guns to those 21 and older, a law that remains in place after judicial review.
The debate over semiautomatic firearm regulation remains active, but as of now, Florida law does not broadly prohibit semiautomatic firearms for most adults.
While there have been significant efforts and public debate regarding the banning of certain semiautomatic firearms in Florida, no such ban is currently in effect. The most notable restriction remains the age limit for purchasing long guns, including semiautomatic rifles and shotguns.
