A day after a committee unanimously signed off on one of Senate President Bill Galvano’s top priorities, Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Jose Oliva expressed skepticism Tuesday about the sweeping gun-control measure.
The proposal (SB 7028) would close the gun-show “loophole,” create a record-keeping system for private gun sales and set aside $5 million to establish a “statewide strategy for violence prevention,” among other things.
The measure would also expand on the state’s “red-flag law,” which was included in a wide-ranging law passed shortly after the Feb. 14, 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
DeSantis appeared skeptical of the proposal to close the gun-show “loophole” by requiring background checks and a three-day waiting period for firearms sold at gun shows, saying screenings are already being performed by “anyone selling firearms at any of those tables.”
“So, when they say that to me, I don’t really know what it is. I know there are talking points, but the fact of the matter is that anyone who is selling firearms is going to have to do background checks, unless it’s just a private sale. But you’re not going to have a table at a gun show on a private sale,” the Republican governor told reporters Tuesday.
Oliva seemed even more dubious, telling reporters that the House is “always very careful when we in any way start to infringe on those things that people consider their constitutional rights.”
“If you talked to the sheriffs around the state, they will tell you that our red-flag laws that we passed before they were even named red-flag laws after Parkland have already saved lives. These are the areas that we have to be looking to. There is no proof that a person’s ability to get a weapon affects their ability to use it. And so we have to be very careful when we once again look to trample on people’s constitutional rights,” Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said.
Despite the opposition from his GOP colleagues, Galvano stood by his plan as the 60-day legislative session started Tuesday.
“It’s important that we look at these issues in their totality. That’s what we set out to do. That’s what I told the people of Florida that we would do. And certainly, there is a balance, and there is a realistic anticipation of outcome that comes into play. But I think the committee’s been doing good work and I’m going to continue to support it,” Galvano, R-Bradenton, said.
When asked about the difficulty in reaching a compromise on the always-thorny issue of guns, given the positions expressed by Oliva and DeSantis, Galvano acknowledged that “a give and take” exchange of ideas is part of the legislative process.
“And it’s incumbent upon the sponsors of bills and members of bodies to explain and to make the correct arguments,” Galvano said. “If you would have said to me three years ago that we were going to do what we did two years ago in the wake of Parkland, I would have said, boy, that’s going to be a really difficult lift in the Legislature I’ve lived in for many, many years.”
The 2018 law — which, in addition to the red-flag issue, raised the age to purchase “long” guns, such as rifles, from 18 to 21 and outlawed “bump” stocks — was the first gun-control legislation approved by the Republican-dominated Legislature in decades.
But the schism among GOP leaders over this year’s measure indicates that any proposals that could be frowned on by gun-rights proponents will face serious pushback.
Before the Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee approved the bill Monday, National Rifle Association Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer castigated the measure, which would also impose new requirements for private gun sales.
The measure contains “the worst universal background check language I have ever seen,” Hammer, a former national president of the NRA, told the Senate panel.
“It appears to be an actual attempt to ban private sales through red tape and fear,” she said, labeling the proposal “gun control on steroids.”
–News Service of Florida
Bill says
DeSantis ” I know there are talking points, but the fact of the matter is that anyone who is selling firearms is going to have to do background checks, unless it’s just a private sale. But you’re not going to have a table at a gun show on a private sale,”
Citizen says
Red Flag laws are carried out without due-process, therefore unconstitutional. “Universal” background checks would require a national gun registry, which has historically been used by tyrannical governments to strip guns away from their citizens. There is no “gun show loophole”, only private sales.
Randy Jones says
Gun show loophole is a misnomer. Private sales take place at gun shows, in parking lots and in homes. Have you ever heard “parking lot loop hole”? “Home loophole”? A private sale, regardless of where it occurs, is NOT a loophole in any law. Any federally licensed firearm dealer is going to conduct a background check be it at a gun show or their place of business. Gun show loophole is a misnomer.
CB from PC says
I am Pro Second Amendment.
But, I believe all persons purchasing weapons require a background check, regardless of where purchased.
In addition to the current prohibitions,
persons convicted of domestic violence, committed under the Baker Act, have a medical history of treatment of mental illnesses requiring medication, or have been evaluated as a violence risk by a mental health professional should not be given legal access to possess firearms.
It also is too bad we do not have mandatory 10 year sentences for convicted felons in possession of a firearm, even if not committing a crime.
Now, depending on crime, prison time of minimum life without parole, or death penalty for crime of murder.
Sorry to say, but this is the only way to bring the homicide rate in places like Chicago and Baltimore under control.
It also will have a positive ripple effect throughout the country.
To their credit, the Republican-dominated legislature did make changes to FL gun laws in the wake of the Parkland Massacre.
A tragedy which likely would never have occurred had Democrat Sheriff Israel and lackey Staff done THEIR duties as Law Enforcement Officers with regard to Nicholas Cruz. They had plenty of warning signs.
Pogo says
@Speaking of warning signs – how about a flashing red hat?
https://www.google.com/search?-b-1-d&source=hp&ei=vDQhXvGJKoPm_QbYlpx4&q=parkland+shooter+wore+maga+hat&oq=parkland+shooter+wore+maga+hat&gs_l=psy-ab.3…4537.33425..34489…1.0..0.121.2349.28j3……0….1..gws-wiz…….0j0i131j0i10j0i22i30.3tyor5gzw3k&ved=0ahUKEwjx19D34onnAhUDc98KHVgLBw8Q4dUDCAc&uact=5
Six Gun Sam says
Any politician that votes in favor of this, WILL NOT be re-elected. America is tired of these creeps taken our Constitutional Rights away. TIMES UP you money hunger corrupt politicians. And to Travis…… you made a fatal mistake voting for this. You are a coward and liar. You WILL NOT be re-elected.
Shark says
Spineless !!!!
Edith Campins says
How much has the NRA given DeSantis? What is wrong with requiring a background check? Do we want felons buying guns through”private sales”?
Do you know that as it stands today Anyone can buy a gun from an unknown individual and as long as you keep it at home you don’t have to register it? Anyone can buy a gun from Craig’s list or any similar on line entity and as long as you keep it at home you don’t have to register? Do you know, that as long as you can pay the price, you can buy any number of guns at a gun show , through a “private sale” and as long as you keep it at home you don’t have to register it? So if such a gun is used in a crime law enforcement can never track it down. Now think about the people you know, the ones with a bad temper, the ones with drinking problems, the ones with bad attitude, the ones who blame all their problems on others, employers, minorities, ex-sposes, etc., do you really think it is a good idea for them to buy and keep any number of guns in their homes? Does it make you feel safer?