What is the new gun law in Florida?
On March 9, 2018, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, a comprehensive bill aimed at enhancing school safety and reducing gun violence in the state. The new law, named after the Parkland school shooting survivor, is a significant response to the devastating tragedy that occurred on February 14, 2018, when 17 students and staff members lost their lives.
What does the new gun law in Florida entail?
The new law includes several key provisions, which are outlined below:
Harden Public Schools
- Active Shooter Training: Requires law enforcement agencies to provide active shooter training to school employees and students.
- School Resource Officers: Mandates that all public schools have at least one sworn law enforcement officer on campus.
- Secure Entrance: Requires schools to have secure entrances, including doors and gates.
Red Flag Law
- Risk Protection Orders: Allows law enforcement to petition for a risk protection order, which temporarily removes firearms from individuals deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
- Mental Health Evaluation: Requires individuals subject to a risk protection order to undergo a mental health evaluation within 14 days.
Background Checks
- Universal Background Checks: Expands background checks to include private gun sales and transfers.
- Background Check Exemptions: Removes exemptions for certain individuals, including spouses and siblings.
Mental Health
- Mental Health Services: Increases funding for mental health services in schools and provides additional resources for students struggling with mental health issues.
Assault Weapons
- Assault Weapons Ban: Prohibits the sale and possession of certain semi-automatic rifles, including those with detachable magazines.
- Large Capacity Magazines: Prohibits the sale and possession of large capacity magazines.
Other Provisions
- Gun-Free Zones: Expands gun-free zones to include areas around schools, government buildings, and public parks.
- Gun Storage: Requires individuals to store their firearms in a secure location, such as a locked container or a gun safe.
Key Changes to Existing Laws
- Minimum Age: Raises the minimum age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21.
- Background Check Fees: Increases background check fees to help fund the background check system.
- Mental Health Reporting: Requires mental health professionals to report individuals who are deemed to be a risk to themselves or others.
Impact of the New Gun Law in Florida
The new gun law in Florida has had a significant impact on the state’s gun laws and school safety. Some of the key changes include:
- Increased Funding: The law has increased funding for mental health services in schools and law enforcement agencies.
- Enhanced School Safety: The law has enhanced school safety by requiring schools to have secure entrances, active shooter training, and school resource officers.
- Reduced Gun Violence: The law has reduced gun violence by banning certain semi-automatic rifles, large capacity magazines, and increasing background checks.
Conclusion
The new gun law in Florida is a significant response to the Parkland school shooting and is aimed at enhancing school safety and reducing gun violence in the state. The law includes several key provisions, including background checks, red flag laws, and enhanced school safety measures. While there may be ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the law, it is clear that the new gun law in Florida has had a significant impact on the state’s gun laws and school safety.
