Gregory Kielma • March 15, 2025
Florida…The New 18? Are We Going Back to 18 Years old To Purchase Firearm’s
Florida…The New 18? Are We Going Back to 18 Years old To Purchase Firearm’s
Governor DeSantis and Senate Bill 7026
Gregg Kielma
FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith-
AED Defibrillator Sales
The 2018 Parkland, Florida, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School led to an avalanche of tragedy, including seventeen fatalities, the knee-jerk signing of Senate Bill 7026 by then-Governor Rick Scott, and David Hogg. Unfortunately, we can’t bring back the lives of those we lost that day, and it seems David Hogg will be dining out on their loss for the rest of his life, but we can restore some sense to the arbitrary and reactive nature of the anti-Second Amendment measures imposed upon Floridians from that day. And that’s exactly what Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is setting his sights on next.
Among the SB 7026 provisions that would have made zero difference to someone hell-bent on taking innocent life was a raised the minimum age for firearm purchases from 18 to 21, banning the sale and possession of bump stocks, and increased law enforcement authority to seize weapons and ammunition from those they deemed mentally unfit, also known as a red-flag law, where property is “temporarily” confiscated prior to a person being found guilty of any crime. Governor DeSantis recognized that Florida law fell behind that of other conservative states when it came to defending the Second Amendment, singling out red-flag laws and the minimum age issue. He now intends to repeal some of the provisions found in the bill that he feels unnecessarily infringe on the Constitutional rights of his constituents, according to his State of the State speech, which took place on Tuesday, March 4.
“The free state of Florida has not exactly led the way on protecting Second Amendment rights… We need to be a strong Second Amendment state,” DeSantis said.
In 2023, DeSantis signed permitless concealed carry into law and characterized red-flag laws aptly as a “due process violation,” suggesting the burden of proof be the state’s obligation.
Governor DeSantis also opined on the idea that the recent age restrictions had “taken away the rights of young adults to purchase a long gun,” pointing out that an 18-year-old soldier can carry a rifle overseas in defense of his country but could not purchase a hunting rifle upon return home to Florida. Ultimately, the Governor is forgetting that service members, law enforcement, and correctional officers may purchase long guns in Florida starting at the age of 18. This fact remains problematic, however, and flies in the face of American principles, creating a separate class of citizens and affording them a different set of rights than the public.
But wherever there is an actual American who respects the Constitution of the United States and takes their oath to defend it seriously, you’ll always find some pinko pseudo-American lurking in the shadows, hungry for a seat at the authoritarian table. One such mouth breather is House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who claims without foundation or any cogent explanation that DeSantis’ goals will make Florida less safe.
“It seems to me that we’re breaking our promise to the parents and the students of Parkland… [The changes] would be awful for our law enforcement. We absolutely want to keep them safe as they do their job. I was very troubled by his comments,” Driskell driveled.
Since you’re pretending to give a toss when it comes to keeping covenants, why don’t we wax nostalgic about those enumerated guarantees in the Bill of Rights and your sworn duty of office to defend them, sweetheart?
But enough about that societal cancer. This is about a governor’s recommitment to protect and defend the rights of Florida citizens, a goal that I hope we find trending soon through the halls of the White House as we approach the due date for the Attorney General’s Second Amendment autopsy that is expected to accompany a plan of action to restore that which has been broken. It is ironic and worrisome, however, that such a monumental responsibility is now in the hands of Pam Bondi, who presided as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 – 2019 when the provisions that DeSantis now wishes to repeal were enacted. Food for thought.
Gregg Kielma
FFL-Firearms- Instructor First Aid Fundamentals Instructor-Gunsmith-
AED Defibrillator Sales
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
