Florida lawmakers on Saturday agreed to advance a bill that would increase safety in schools and restrict gun purchases. The decision was arrived at on Saturday evening during a rare Senate session that turned into a debate on gun control and arming school teachers in reaction to February’s Parkland school shootings.
The Florida Senate debated on dozens of amendments to the school-safety bill that is made up of 100 pages. This debate lasted nearly eight hours. The lawmakers finally came to an agreement and approved the legislation for a final vote on Monday. The session began at 10 a.m. It was supposed to be concluded by 1 p.m. but the senators prolonged it up until after six o’clock when it ended.
The Democrats’ proposals to prohibit assault rifles as well as large capacity magazines were not accepted. Also rejected was a Democratic proposal to remove text from the bill that would allow the creation of a program to arm teachers who have undergone law enforcement training if the school districts opt to join in the so-named marshal plan.
It was evident that the senators had different views on the bill, and it extended beyond the party lines. Although the bill was crafted by the Republicans, some of the GOP senators opposed it. This is because they do not conform to raising the minimum age to purchase a rifle from eighteen to twenty-one. They also do not agree with the proposed waiting period to purchase the weapons.
Democrats feel that the legislation does not go to great limits in some ways and goes too far in some others. Like the Republicans, the Democrats too have some proposing and others opposing the bill. Those who support the bill believe that it is a step nonetheless toward gun safety.
Democrats want the ban of weapons like the AR-15 assault-style rifle which was used in the shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on 14th February. Most also contest arming school teachers. Republicans argue that banning these weapons violates the Second Amendment that gives a right to bear arms.
Although the debate revolved heavily around gun control, the bill also proposes the establishment of new mental health programs in schools, provisions to promote school security, and improved communication between schools, state agencies, and law enforcement. The vote over the school-safety bill is scheduled for Monday.
