What Florida and the Federal Govt Are Doing About Guns

FEATURING DENNIS A. HENIGAN – The Florida State Senate narrowly passed a bill on Monday attempting to address the gun massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that claimed the lives of 17 students and staff. While the bill includes provisions for a 3-day waiting period for all firearms purchases and an increase in the purchasing age to 21, it also bizarrely increases the prevalence of guns in schools by funding the arming of some teachers and staff as so-called “School guardians.”

On the federal level, little has emerged by way of legislation and Congressional debate despite strong public pressure. President Donald Trump first asserted support for some modest gun safety policies but then pulled back in line with the NRA.

The NRA has lost tremendous public support in the wake of the Parkland massacre. Instead of softening its tone, the group that relies on gun manufacturers for most of its funding, released a video narrated by spokesperson Dana Loesch issuing a not-so-veiled threat against journalists.

For information about Dennis Henigan’s book visit www.lethallogicthebook.com.

Dennis A. Henigan, Director of legal and policy analysis at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and formerly the Vice President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. He is the author of “Guns Don’t Kill People, People Kill People,” And Other Myths About Guns and Gun Control.