The Florida House Passed A School Safety Bill, And It’s Now Headed To The Governor’s Desk

Earlier this week, the Florida Senate passed a gun-related bill, 20-18. It hit all the angles. While the bill raises the age to purchase a rifle to 21, it also pours millions of dollars into school security, improves mental health programs and creates an optional program for qualified school officials who want to carry.

Now, the Florida House is acting. It passed “The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act,” 67-50. You know what this means. It’s heading to Gov. Scott’s desk.

Via Politico:

Legislators say Scott, who expressed reservations about armed teachers before the provision was watered down, is expected to sign it into law.

The gun control measures in the bill, though relatively small compared to the assault weapons ban unsuccessfully sought by Democrats, mark an unprecedented shift in the Florida Capitol, which has been a bastion of gun-rights legislation for decades.

Those who supported the legislation, including the 10 House Democrats, said the $400 million bill was a needed first step in preventing another mass shooting like the one that unfolded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14 when a gunman slaughtered 17 people, including 14 students. The 105-page bill, FL SB 7026 (18R), would allow for the hiring of more school resources officers, physical security improvements to schools, new age and waiting-period limits on shotgun and rifle purchases and more police powers to seize weapons from dangerous people.

No. There’s nothing in it about banning AR-15s. Obviously, Democrats aren’t happy about that.

The Florida House has passed a school safety bill that includes new restrictions on rifle sales and a program to arm some teachers. The bill now goes to Governor Rick Scott for his signature. https://t.co/3Z9RdTY3Ho via @nbc2

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 8, 2018

When #Florida House passes school safety bill today,it will be,in no small part,b/c despite different views on some issues,led by @rpetty & Andrew Pollack the families of #Parkland victims found common cause on what they did agree on. Hopefully D.C. will follow their example.

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) March 7, 2018

Florida House passes gun control legislation including 3-day waiting period on most gun purchases and program to arm some teachers https://t.co/AcV7O6asAV

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 8, 2018

Florida House passes first gun controls in 20+ years; Gov. Scott won't say if he'll sign it https://t.co/TuUTl2qxcR

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 8, 2018

We’ll see if Scott signs it. He hasn’t made any promises.

“When a bill makes it to my desk, I’ll do what they don’t seem to be doing in Washington, I’m going to review the bill line by line,” Scott said, according to Politico. “I’m going to be talking to the groups I care the most about right now because it impacted them so much … the families.”

All eyes are on you, Scott.