Legislators Pass Sweeping Gun Bill,, Parkland Student fights for his life
Tallahassee, Fla (treasurecoast.com)-After four days of marathon debates in the Florida Legislature, lawmakers have approved a 400 million dollar plan to address the massacre at Parkland.
Senate Bill 7026 includes a controversial measure to arm some teachers and other school personnel who undergo special training sanctioned by the state.
Most of the black lawmakers voted no. Representative Al Jacquet (jack-ET) says it does nothing about the gun carnage happening every day in minority neighborhoods
Some conservatives also voted no because the school safety package includes new restrictions on guns. Rep Danny Burgess says the far left and the far right don’t like the school safety bill but lawmakers have to do something.
Many lawmakers sent out messages from their office after the vote to explain why they did or did not vote on the bill.
The bill passed out of the House by a vote of 67-50 and it’s headed for the governor’s desk. It increases the age to buy all guns from 18 to 21. The bill requires a waiting period for the purchase of firearms. We will see new mental health programs for schools. There are provisions to keep guns away from people who show signs of mental illness, and arms certain school employees.
A grand jury indicted Nikolas Cruz
A grand jury indicted Nikolas Cruz. He was indicted on 17 counts of first-degree murder for the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. Cruz is also facing 17 counts of attempted murder. The Broward Sheriff’s Office said Cruz opened fire at his former school on Valentine’s Day, killing 17 people. A public defender for Cruz said he will plead guilty if prosecutors take the death penalty off the table. Newly released jail records show Cruz is being held in solitary confinement and is on suicide watch at the Broward County Jail. Deputies say he is cooperative and often sits with a blank stare. He reportedly broke out into laughter during and after a visit by his attorney. He’s asked to read the Bible and has been visited twice by his brother.
Democrat State Rep Larry Lee announced yesterday that he will not run for re-election.
His decision was influenced by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and the activism on the part of the survivors. Lee said that had it not been for the students, nothing would be getting done to keep students safe, adding that the students had done more in two weeks than the legislature has done in six years. Lee was elected in 2012 and represented parts of Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, and Jensen Beach. He was eligible to run for one more two-year term.
Meanwhile, Senate President Joe Negron announced that he will not run for higher office this year. The state senator said he will announce his plans after the legislative session is over.
Parkland student Anthony Borges took a turn for the worst during the night. He had emergency surgery and is scheduled for more surgery today.
Please continue prayers for Anthony🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 It appears that he took a turn turn for the worst today and is back in ICU on a ventilator. He had an emergency surgery today and another scheduled for tomorrow!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼He needs lots of prayers❣️💯🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
— Marilyn Rule Heinrich (@rule_marilyn) March 8, 2018
