The Florida state House of Representatives voted down a bill that would ban many semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines yesterday. The bill, which would ban AR-15 rifles like the one used in the Parkland, FL, shooting, and large capacity magazines, went down in defeat in a motion that would have seen the bill move from committee to the House floor for debate, and a vote. The final count was 36-71 against bringing the bill to the floor.
Because subcommittees in the House that would consider the bill are not scheduled to meet this session, the bill is essentially dead, House Rep. Kionne McGhee, Democratic ranking member on the Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee, and the bill’s sponsor, said.
Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site of last week’s massacre had been traveling to the state capitol to lobby lawmakers on action on gun violence. Many had already arrived to witness the vote first hand.
Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott held a roundtable on school safety earlier in the day. He said he planned to put forth a proposal on gun violence and school safety by Friday. “My goal is to come up with something that is going to move the needle and make parents feel more comfortable that their kid’s going to go to a safe school. That’s the goal,” he said. “These kids have got to go to safe schools.”
President Trump, earlier in the day, directed Attorney General Jeff Sessions to explore ways to make the firearm accessory known as the bump stock, which makes it easier for the trigger of a rifle to be pulled faster, causing many more rounds of ammunition to be fired, illegal.
“I expect these regulations to be finalized, Jeff, very soon,” Trump said yesterday, addressing Sessions directly at a White House Medal of Valor event.
The President has also signaled support for the FixNICS Act yesterday, which would incentivize states and federal agencies to keep the National Instant Criminal Background Check System updated with the latest information about individuals who should be prevented from purchasing firearms.
“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system,” Sanders told reporters yesterday.