Feb, 9, 2026

Statement from Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor and the Broward State Attorney’s Office:

“The State Attorney General’s Office contacted the Broward State Attorney’s Office to let us know that they would be conceding the legal argument regarding the prosecution of the law that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from carrying a firearm.

Given the impact of gun crimes in the State of Florida — including the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in our community, which resulted in the tragic murders of 17 children and adults and severe injuries to 17 individuals who survived — we respectfully disagree with the position taken by the Office of the Attorney General.

The Broward State Attorney’s Office made a request that prosecutors from our agency be designated to defend the prosecution of this law in the appellate courts. That request was denied.

By law, the State Attorney General’s Office is the designated agency that handles these appeals and the agency has made its decision on how to proceed. However, we will continue to advocate for the enforcement of this law, which remains on the Florida Statutes books.

The Feb. 6 filing from the Office of the State Attorney General is available here. The Broward State Attorney’s Office has also filed a request with the appeals court requesting permission to file an amicus brief (known as a “friend of the court” filing) outlining our position. That filing is available here.

We believe this law is important to our ongoing work to make our communities safer and prevent future tragedies.”

Case numbers:

4^th District Court of Appeal https://4dca.flcourts.gov/ 4D 2025-1698

17^th Judicial Circuit www.browardclerk.org 24005748CF10A