Florida lawmakers back firearm limits, arms for teachers
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The Florida House passed a school safety bill Wednesday that includes new restrictions on rifle sales and a program to arm some teachers, sending the measure to the governor for his signature.
The vote of 67-50 reflected a mix of Republicans and Democrats in support and opposition. The measure, a response to the shootings at a Parkland high school that left 17 dead, is supported by the victims’ families.
The bill would raise the minimum age to buy rifles to 21 from 18, and create a waiting period on sales of the weapons. It would also create a so-called guardian program that would let school employees and many teachers carry handguns if they go through law-enforcement training and if the school district decides to participate in the program.
Other provisions would create new mental health programs for schools; establish an anonymous tip line where students and others could report threats to schools, ban bump stocks and improve communication between schools, law enforcement and state agencies.
The Florida Senate narrowly passed the bill Monday. Gov. Rick Scott declined to say Wednesday whether he would sign the legislation.
Scott has repeatedly said he doesn’t support arming teachers and pushed lawmakers adopt his proposal, which called for at least one law enforcement officer in every school and one for every thousand students who attend a school.
Shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz was formally charged with 17 counts of first-degree murder Wednesday, which could mean a death sentence if he is convicted.
The indictment returned by a grand jury in Fort Lauderdale also charges the 19-year-old with 17 counts of attempted murder. Cruz’s public defender has said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table, which would mean a sentence of life in prison.