Bill Galvano confident in Senate’s ability to consider gun show loophole
Senate President Bill Galvano wants an end to the street violence.

galvano, bill - pointing
The gun show loophole passed the Senate committee unanimously on the eve of the Session.

Senate President Bill Galvano remained confident Wednesday his chamber will consider a bill to eliminate the state’s gun show loophole. 

On the eve of Session, the Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee took up SB 7028, one of Galvano’s priorities, at his behest. That committee unanimously passed the bill over the concerns of National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer, who called it “gun control on steroids.” 

“They did their job, they put it out, but I also have to have faith in the process, and I’ve told the Senators that they’re empowered and I’m not going to micromanage from the fourth floor,” Galvano said. 

But by Wednesday, the bill has not yet been scheduled a hearing in its next committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee. With a full committee agenda next week and a slew of bills to schedule for coming weeks, committee Chair Sen. David Simmons couldn’t say when Judiciary might take it up.

Still, Galvano indicated his faith in Simmons’ committee to advance the bill.

And even if the bill makes it off the floor, Senate leaders would need to negotiate with House leaders reluctant to move on the measure. Plus, Hammer told Florida Politics she’ll keep a tally for the NRA’s legislative scorecard. 

“I’ve always maintained it’s a difficult bill,” Galvano said. “We’ve had objections and concerns raised on both sides of the issue.”

After the House session Wednesday, House Speaker José Oliva indicated there was little hope for Galvanos proposal on his side of the Rotunda.

That is a proposal like so many others that probably will not move very far here in the House, if at all, because thats just the way the chambers are,” Oliva said.

The bill would eliminate the gun show loophole by requiring criminal background checks on people purchasing firearms from unlicensed sellers. Unlicensed sellers could ask a licensed seller to request the background check, though the licensed seller could charge a fee. 

The measure would also raise the age of minors from which gun owners must secure their firearms to 18, previously 16. And gun owners would have to secure their weapons from anyone of “unsound mind.” 

The bill’s final Senate committee would be the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

The security package would also create 37 full-time Florida Department of Law Enforcement positions. And $4.8 million recurring funds and $1 million nonrecurring general revenue funds would go to implement a statewide strategy for targeted violence prevention. 

Over the weekend, Galvano fended off attacks from his right after Breitbart resurfaced a story that his political committee took funds from former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg‘s committee for gun control. Donald Trump Jr. slammed the Senate President as a RINO for accepting the cash and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz piled on.

And Wednesday, Oliva vouched for Galvano’s character.

Ive served with President Galvano for nine years. I think hes served for a total of 16,” he said. If theres one that that President Galvano is not is a RINO.

Renzo Downey

Renzo Downey covers state government for Florida Politics. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2019, Renzo began his reporting career in the Lone Star State, covering state government for the Austin American-Statesman. Shoot Renzo an email at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @RenzoDowney.


7 comments

  • Undeadmerc3

    January 22, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    Bought and pad for! That’s all this politican stands for! Money from the elite!

  • John Kociuba

    January 22, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    Dear Floridians ~

    Re: “Wild Bloomberg Bill Galvano”

    Call your Florida State Senators and vote him out! The Republican Senate Leader is working for the Communist Party Demorats.

    “Power is an illusion that can be stripped away by whispers of a beggar.”

  • Seber Newsome III

    January 22, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    Galvano is a puppet of George Soros and Bloomberg. Floridians will not forget this!!!

  • Ricky

    January 23, 2020 at 6:49 am

    Vote this Benedict Arnold out. Bloomberg contributed several $100k to him.

  • Robert Snapp

    January 23, 2020 at 11:28 am

    There is no “gun show loophole”! Gun shows are governed by the exact same rules and regulations, both federal and state, that all other gun sales are governed by. This is simply another attempt by out of state liberal socialist financiers to strip constitutional rights from Floridians! It is nothing new. The people of Florida should make it clear to their representatives that their job is to represent Florida voters and not out of state money men like Soros and Bloomberg, and that the voters of Florida can easily put them out at the next election!

  • Pedro

    January 24, 2020 at 10:31 am

    It’s so funny seeing you conservatives trying to eat your own. Guns are fine we just need to make sure terrorist and tourists are not getting easy access to them. I would think we would all agree on that?

    • Rich7553

      January 24, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      So you presume if a terrorist or tourist wanted a firearm, a universal background check would stop him? Are you so naive as to believe illegal street purchases, straw purchases, and theft are non-existent?

Comments are closed.


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