The Florida House passed a school safety bill that includes new restrictions on rifle sales and a program to arm some teachers.
Florida Senate passes Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act
The House voted 67-50 Wednesday on a bill that's a response to the Feb. 14 shooting at a high school that killed 17 people. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature.
"The group I'm going to be talking to, the group I care the most about because it impacted them so much is the families," said Gov. Scott.
Gov. Scott has expressed concerns with one provision of the bill that allows some teachers to carry guns.
"I don't believe we ought to be arming teachers," said Gov. Scott. "I think we ought to be increasing our law enforcement presence, I want law enforcement presence at all of our schools."
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act PASSES THE HOUSE 67 - 50. #NeverAgainMSD
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) March 7, 2018
The vote reflected a mix of Republicans and Democrats in support and opposition. Even supporters said they didn't like some aspects of the bill.
If signed into law, bump stocks would be banned. The device, used in the Las Vegas massacre, alters a semi-automatic weapon to shoot like an automatic.
Rifle sales would require the buyer to be 21-years-old, raised from 18.
The bill also provides new mental health programs for schools and provision to keep guns away from people who show signs of mental illness or violent behavior.
For the complete bill text, click here.
