Nine days following the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Florida, Governor Rick Scott has announced multiple changes to policies regarding gun laws for the state.
Marking his first major break from policy priorities of the National Rifle Association, Scott has announced he will raise the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21, according to The Washington Post. He will also enforce new school security measures, and will implement a new program that denies guns to those who are deemed a danger to the community.
In a press conference on Friday morning Scott told reporters, “I’m an NRA member, a supporter of the Second amendment, and the First amendment, and the entire Bill of Rights for that matter. I’m also a father, and a grandfather, and a governor,” he said. “We all have a difficult task in front of us balancing our individual rights with our obvious need for public safety.”
The proposal set forth by Scott would also include his endorsement to ban bump stocks, and propose $50 million in additional funding for mental health initiatives.
In response to the recent news, critics and fans have emerged. Many are celebrating the small victory and claiming the kids who have voiced their opinions, spoken out and made a stand against gun violence in the last week, are the reason this has occurred. Ana Navarro, a contributor for CNN and ABC tweeted, “The students achieved this. The kids did this. That’s why some have resorted to attacking them and their credibility. It is not working.”
This is significant.
Good for @FLGovScott.
It’s been only 9 days since the #StonemanShooting.
The students achieved this. The kids did this. That’s why some have resorted to attacking them and their credibility. It is not working. https://t.co/tKDvglnQJc— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 23, 2018
However, some critics are arguing not enough has been done and without stricter backgrounds checks, nothing will change and the violence will continue.
Related: A Primer On The Politics Of The NRA & The Gun Debate In The United States
Igor Volsky, deputy editor of CAP Action, tweeted, “If someone was wondering what’s the least you could do to keep schools & communities safe after Florida shooting, Rick Scott has the answer.”
If someone was wondering what’s the least you could do to keep schools & communities safe after Florida shooting, Rick Scott has the answer.
This will have very little impact on actually reducing gun violence
and AGE LIMIT IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS!!! pic.twitter.com/j2ZpgIhfXv— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) February 23, 2018
Governor Rick Scott’s proposal is a timely response to the mass shooting and one that many Republican’s are unsure of.
President Donald Trump announced his idea to arm all public school teachers, in an effort to combat those who are demanding swift change. Scott reportedly opposed that idea, according to Politico. In the meantime, lawmakers are working to find a consensus and a solution to this growing and evolving debate.