NRA sues Florida over new gun law.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a far-reaching school-safety bill Friday that places new restrictions on guns, cementing his state’s break with the National Rifle Association and decades of Republican thinking on gun control in the aftermath of the Parklan
Minutes after Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a historic gun control bill, the NRA filed a lawsuit alleging the law violates the Second Amendment because it raises the purchase age for guns from 18 to 21.
Surrounded by family members of the 17 people killed in the shooting just over three weeks ago, the GOP governor said the bill balances “our individual rights with need for public safety.”
“It’s an example to the entire country that government can and has moved fast,” said Scott, whose state has been ruled by gun-friendly Republican lawmakers for 20 years.
Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina was killed, read a statement from victims’ families: “When it comes to preventing future acts of horrific school violence, this is the beginning of the journey. We have paid a terrible price for this progress.”
The bill fell short of achieving the ban on assault-style weapons sought by survivors. The gunman used an AR-15 rifle.
Nevertheless, the bill raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire. It also creates a so-called guardian program enabling some teachers and other school employees to carry guns.
The NRA filed a federal lawsuit Friday over the legislation to raise the gun-buying age and insisted that the measure “punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual.”
The signing marked a major victory for the teens who lived through the attack and swiftly became the public faces of a renewed gun-control movement. Just days after the shooting, they began holding rallies, lobbying lawmakers and harnessing the power of social media in support of reform.
The governor told the students: “You helped change our state. You made a difference. You should be proud.”
Scott, who said he is an NRA member and will continue to be one, is still “not persuaded” about the guardian program that will let districts authorize staff members to carry handguns if they complete law enforcement training. It is not mandatory. The bill narrowly passed the House and Senate.
In schools, the measure creates new mental health programs and establishes an anonymous tip line for reporting threats. It also seeks to improve communication between schools, law enforcement and state agencies.
Broward County teachers union President Anna Fusco said teachers supported the bill but not the provision that allows them to carry guns.
The Broward County school superintendent has already said he does not want to participate in the program.
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old former student accused of assaulting the school went before a judge. Nikolas Cruz faces 17 counts of murder and attempted murder. In a brief hearing Friday, Cruz stood with his head bowed as he appeared via video conference.
Cruz’s public defender has said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table and sentence him to life in prison instead. Prosecutors have not announced a decision.