The Florida state Senate on Monday passed legislation aimed at improving school safety and restricting gun purchases, but does not include a ban on weapons like the AR-15 style rifle used in the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Fla.
Florida Senate Bill 7026, known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, would raise the age of those who can purchase a firearm from 18 to 21, require a three-day waiting period for most gun purchases, and ban bump stocks, which makes it possible for a semi-automatic weapon to fire at the rate of an automatic.
The bill, which passed 20-18 and will now go to the Florida House, also includes a $67 million voluntary “school marshal” program, which would give school districts the option of allowing staff members to conceal carry after 132 hours of firearm training and 12 hours of diversity training.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott does not like the idea of arming teachers, but the measure is still likely to pass the Republican-controlled House. Some GOP members believe the piece of legislation goes too far by raising the purchase age to 21, the Los Angeles Times reported.
However, Florida Democrats don’t think it goes far enough since there is no weapons ban in the bill. Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, a Democrat who represents the Miami area, said the name of the school should be removed from the legislation because it doesn’t go far enough.
“If we are not doing what the survivors of Parkland are overwhelmingly asking for, is it appropriate to slap the name of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the bill?” Rodriguez asked. “I don’t think it deserves to have to have that name on it.”
The bill also includes increased funding for mental health services and provides law enforcement officers more power to temporarily seize weapons and ammunition from people with mental health issues, or those who are threatening violence.
Florida government is working to get the legislation passed before its session ends Friday.
