Adam Putnam, a Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate who recently scrubbed all references of him calling himself a "
proud NRA sellout" from his website, says he doesn't support a 21-year-old age limit to gun purchases because of the state's rich heritage of kids going hunting, or whatever.
In a statment sent to
Tampa Bay Times political editor Adam C. Smith, Putnam said he supports Rick Scott's efforts to "harden" schools, and an investigation into the Broward Sheriff's response to the recent mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, but not increasing the age limit for purchasing guns.
"As someone who grew up in possession of firearms, learning a respect for firearms and practicing the safe use of firearms as part of my heritage, I can't support any policy or any law that destroys the family tradition of possessing and practicing safe use of firearms. I can't imagine that a state that has done so much to encourage youth hunter safety would outlaw the purchase of any and all firearms by someone under 21, " said Putnam.
That's right, despite the fact that this proposed age limit would still allow parents to take their kids shooting, Putnam believes we should continue to allow teenagers to have easy access to the same weapons of war that have been the common denominator in the
worst mass shootings in modern U.S. history.
Of course, the Florida Democratic Party responded to Putnam's "pro-children owning assault rifles because of hunting" stance. "The NRA has donated at least $9,500 to Adam Putnam over the course of his career. It looks like their investment is really paying off."