Photo credit: Florida Political Review, Orlando Sentinel, The Hill, SaintPetersBlog
By Thalya Samuels
Due to the recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, I have been encouraged to write a story regarding gun laws in relation to school shootings. My assignment involved contacting state representatives and senators and asking for their opinions on gun laws. Unfortunately, none of them responded to my inquiries. This is disappointing, however, I would like to take this is as an opportunity to show their opinions on gun laws based on past statements.
Senator Bill Nelson (D) is known for his strong support of gun control. He expressed wishes to put more restrictions on gun laws during the CNN Town Hall event. He believes that changing gun legislation is key to preventing incidents like the one that occurred at Parkland. Nelson does not support the absolute right to gun ownership. In 2016, he co-sponsored a bill to prohibit the transfer of firearms to suspected terrorists. Other notable positions include not supporting high-capacity gun magazines and preventing dangerous persons from having guns.
Representative Val Demings (D) has stated in the past that she supports restrictions on the right to bear arms. In February, she pushed the bill to seek gun restraints on dangerous persons. Demings stated, “We must do what we can to make sure law enforcement has the tools it needs to more effectively perform the ever more challenging job of keeping us a safe nation. The Gun Violence Restraining Order Act is a major step to doing just that.” Despite the efforts put behind the bill, no Republicans have backed the bill and it has been unsuccessful.
During the recent CNN Town Hall event in 2018, Senator Marco Rubio (R) provided several opinions on gun control. He stated that he supported raising the age to purchase rifles and that he disagreed with President Trump’s decision to arm teachers. He also stated that the issue concerning mass shooters in the United States could not be solved by restricting guns alone. Many felt that this was just his way of avoiding more serious questions. One of his most controversial opinions is that placing restrictions on the right to bear arms is largely unconstitutional. In January 2016, Rubio stated, “I see how he [President Obama] works with the attorney general, not to defend the Second Amendment but to figure out ways to undermine it.” He firmly believes that the 2nd Amendment should not be limited in any shape or form, which is evident in many of his positions.
Based on bills that he has supported, it is evident that Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy III (D) is anti-guns. Specifically, he has stated in the past that he believes the Shoot First expansion is bad for Floridians due to the fact that it shifts the burden of proof in Stand Your Ground Cases. The Shoot First expansion encourages people to shoot first out of self-defense so that further harm is not caused. Also, he voted against a bill to allow certain individuals to carry concealed firearms on school property.
All of the aforementioned representatives and senators have their own perspective on how they should approach the recurring gun issues that plague the United States. Each perspective has met support and opposition. Hopefully, these officials will find a way to serve the interests of the affected parties, despite their sometimes conflicting approaches.