Scott Powers
Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith is trying again with his post-Pulse massacre efforts to seek to ban civilian purchase of military-style assault weapons and large capacity magazines in Florida.
Smith, of Orlando, filed House Bill 627 for the 2020 Legislative Session, the fourth session he has pursued banning the kinds of weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines that killed 49 people and wounded 53 others during the June 12, 2016, mass shooting at Orlando’s popular gay nightclub.
Smith’s bills in 2018, ’19 and this one also were responses to the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 people were murdered with similar firepower.
In announcing his bill Wednesday, Smith stated that state Sen. Gary Farmer, a Fort Lauderdale Democrat who has filed companion bills the past two years, also intends to do so this year.
HB 627 lists scores of specific makes and models of handguns, rifles, and shotguns that would be banned from sale in Florida, and also includes language banning similar weapons.
“We owe it to the victims and families of Pulse, MSD and of everyday gun violence to keep assault weapons off our streets. As Orlando and Parkland communities know all too well, easy access to weapons of war has destroyed the lives of innocent people and families,” Smith stated in a news release issued by his office. “Several other states and even entire countries have taken action to ban assault weapons after horrific mass shootings in their communities. Why not Florida? It’s past time to hear the bills.”
In previous sessions, the bills [state Sen. Linda Stewart of Orlando introduced the companion bill in 2017] have not been heard by any committees.
“This legislation will save lives; we’ve known this for years. Doing nothing is simply unacceptable anymore,” Farmer stated in the release. “I’m proud to stand with Representative Smith in proposing a solution that will undoubtedly reduce gun violence in Florida, just as similar bills have in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. It’s time for Florida to step up and stop the sale of these dangerous military-style weapons.”
Stewart has turned her focus to the high-capacity magazines. This year her Senate Bill 794 seeks to ban magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets.
8 comments
Eric Nix
November 13, 2019 at 5:05 pm
Carlos is another liberal idiot who does not understand, shall NOT be in fringed.
Sonja Emily Fitch
November 14, 2019 at 5:17 am
THE SUPREME COURT RULED REMINGTON IS CULPABLE IN THE DEATHS OF GOOD AND DECENT AMERICANS KILLED IN THE SHOOT OUTS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT 2ND AMENDMENT. IT IS ABOUT THE LOONEYS LIES ABOUT TAKING MY GUNS. IT IS ABOUT WEAPONS THAT ARE USED FOR MASS SLAUGHTER…MASS SLAUGHTER IN SOME OF THESE DAMN WARS….MASS SLAUGHTER…
J. Knight
November 14, 2019 at 7:43 pm
The Supreme Court of Connecticut ruled that a lawsuit could go forward, not that Remington was culpable for anything.
Richard Nascak
November 14, 2019 at 8:37 am
@Sonya Emily Fitch
1. The Supreme Court made no such ruling. It simply declined to assume jurisdiction in the Remington case at this time. The case itself hasn’t even begun. This is in response to a preliminary motion to dismiss based on advertising. Plaintiffs claim the shooter was enticed by Remington’s advertisement. However the shooter didn’t purchase the rifle. His mother did, and he killed her in order to obtain access to it.
2. This very much is about the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
3. Neither the rifle misused at Sandy Hook nor any other semiautomatic AR-15 has ever faced an enemy across the battlefield anywhere on the planet and no military organization worldwide has ever issued them as infantry rifles. By definition they are not weapons of war, no matter how many times you and others repeat that lie.
MSgt, USAF Retired
Loki Luck III
November 14, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Null & void, Carl. Next!!
Richard Kemp
November 14, 2019 at 5:48 pm
Smith, farmers,and Stewart are trespassers of their offices they violated their oaths of office and ward against the Constitution of the United States of America they are traitors guilty of treason.they have committed perjury, perjury is treason and a felony under state and federal law.
Richard Kemp
November 14, 2019 at 5:52 pm
Smith, farmers,and Stewart are trespassers of their offices they violated their oaths of office and ward against the Constitution of the United States of America they are traitors guilty of treason.they have committed perjury, perjury is treason and a felony under state and federal law. As a resident of Florida I demand their removal effective immediately.
Waltermelon
November 15, 2019 at 5:03 am
The ar-15 is not a military styled weapon. No army in their right minds would use a semi automatic rifle.
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