FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Broward County judge has ruled that Florida’s ban on adults under 21 carrying concealed firearms is unconstitutional — a decision that could set up a broader legal battle over gun rights for young adults.

The ruling stems from the arrest of 19-year-old Joel Walkes III, who was charged after an officer found him carrying a concealed firearm when his car broke down on a Plantation roadway.

Circuit Judge Frank Ledee sided with Walkes, saying the state’s age restriction violated constitutional rights.

Florida passed the age limit in 2018 after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 people were killed. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from those impacted by gun violence.

“It is terrible. Of course it’s terrible,” said Patricia Oliver, whose son Joaquin was among the Parkland victims. “We are in danger. Florida is in danger.”

“What happened in all these seven and a half years from 2018 to today,” asked Oliver. “Now it’s less dangerous? Now we have less issues with gun violence? That is not true. We’ve been having more and more shootings every single day.”

Public Defender Gordon Weekes, who represents Walkes, said the challenge was about constitutional accountability.

“It’s very important that we challenge these areas,” Weekes said. “And it’s important that we have enough courage to bring these issues before a court.”

Legal experts said the ruling currently applies only to this case but could pave the way for further challenges and appeals in higher courts.

Parkland victim’s mother outraged over judge’s ruling on concealed carry age limit

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Byron Tollefson