The National Rifle Association on Friday filed a federal lawsuit over gun-control legislation signed by Florida Republican Gov. Rick Scott, arguing that it violates the Second Amendment by raising the age to buy guns from 18 to 21.
The lawsuit, filed in federal district court in Pensacola, came just hours after Scott signed the compromise bill Friday afternoon.
Lawyers for the NRA are asking a federal judge to block the new age restriction from taking effect.
"Florida's ban is an affront to the Second Amendment, as it totally eviscerates the right of law-abiding adults between the ages of 18 and 21 to keep and bear arms," NRA Executive Director Chris Cox said in a statement.
"The ban is particularly offensive with respect to young women, as women between the ages of 18 and 21 are much less likely to engage in violent crime than older members of the general population who are unaffected by the ban."
Cox slammed the Florida regulation as "a sweeping law banning all young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 from purchasing any firearm from any source."
Florida's new law raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks that allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire.
It also creates a "guardian" program that enables teachers and other school employees to carry handguns.
The measures come in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 17 people and injured 14 others.
"Swift action is needed to prevent young adults in Florida from being treated as second-class citizens when it comes to the right to keep and bear arms," Cox said.
"We are confident that the courts will vindicate our view that Florida's ban is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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