Florida survivors, lawmakers on collision course over guns
PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Students who survived the Florida school shooting began a journey Tuesday to the state Capitol to urge lawmakers to prevent another massacre, but within hours the gun-friendly Legislature had effectively halted any possibility of banning assault rifles like the one used in the attack.
The legislative action further energized the teens as they prepared to confront legislators who have quashed gun-control efforts for decades in a state where 1.3 million people have concealed carry permits.
Three buses set out for Tallahassee carrying 100 students who, in the aftermath of the attack that killed 17 people, want to revive the gun-control movement. The teens carried sleeping bags and pillows and hugged their parents as they departed, many wearing burgundy T-shirts in school colors.
They spent the seven-hour bus ride checking their phones, watching videos and reading comments on social media about the shooting, some of which accused them of being liberal pawns.
Meanwhile at the Statehouse, a Democratic representative asked for a procedural move that would have allowed the Republican-controlled House to consider a ban on large-capacity magazines and assault rifles such as the AR-15 that was wielded by the suspect, Nickolas Cruz.
The bill had been assigned to three committees but was not scheduled for a hearing. The House quickly nixed the Democratic motion. The vote broke down along party lines, and Republicans criticized Democrats for forcing the vote.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/florida-survivors-lawmakers-on-collision-course-over-guns/ar-BBJnRG6?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
= new reply since forum marked as read
