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Senator Farmer Statement on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

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State Senator Gary Farmer released the following statement regarding yesterday’s tragic school shooting in Parkland FL:

I am heartbroken by the devastating act of evil that occurred yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Every one of these too often occurring incidents is a tragedy, but as a former resident of Parkland and the Chairman of the Broward Delegation, this particular act of violence has left a brutal and lasting scar on my heart. I want to express my condolences and support to both State Senator Kevin Rader and State Representative Jared Moskowitz who represent the districts where the school is located.

I have been personally affected by the tragedy that unfolded yesterday. My family previously lived just 7 miles from the school. My daughter had friends in the school that day, and her life and the lives of my entire family have been forever changed. While my fight for proper gun safety measures began long before today, this incident has only hardened my resolve to protect our children from the horrors of gun violence.

In the wake of this life-shattering event our initial reaction must be to provide aid and comfort to the victims and their families. Last afternoon the lives of every student in that school and our entire community were shattered, and we need to be ready and available to assist them in any way possible. We cannot, however, lose sight of the major gaps in current statutes which allowed this tragic event and those before it to occur. The Florida State Senate and House of Representatives must act immediately to close these holes and provide our students and teachers with the protections that they so desperately need.

Legislators and pundits who have been misguided or corrupted by the powerful pro-gun lobby will say that it is too soon to act. To that, I say that it is too late. It is too late to prevent the horrors that unfolded yesterday, and it is too late to prevent the evil acts that have occurred elsewhere. However, it is never too late to take action and prevent this evil act from ever happening again.

Today a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas accurately summed up the current situation as he reminded politicians that “Ideas without action remain ideas, and children die as a result.” For years I and many of my colleagues have proposed legislation that would take the necessary steps to address our State’s lack of gun safety measures. These proposals have been ignored amongst the majority leadership in both Chambers, and Floridians have paid the price with their blood and tears. The time to act is now, and those who refuse to do so whether knowingly or not are providing material support to the continuation of violence in our State.

In the State Senate a bill has been filed to ban the same type of assault weapon that was used to carry out the mass murder that occurred in Parkland. Despite the clear need for such legislation displayed both this week and by numerous incidents before, such as the Pulse shooting, this bill by Senator Stewart (SB 196) has remained unheard in any committee.

The weapon used in yesterday’s shooting has been described as an “AR-15 style rifle.” This style of weapon has become the weapon of choice for those seeking to commit mass murder in our schools, businesses, and other community gathering places. These weapons have the ability to carry more rounds than could ever be required for recreation or self-defense. They are loaded using detachable magazines, which allow the user to quickly reload and continue to unleash a stream of lethal ammunition upon their victims. Let there be no doubt about it, AR-15 style rifles and other assault weapons are designed to be instruments of mass slaughter, and have no place in the hands of any civilian. With the devastating result of the widespread civilian access to weapons of war staring us directly in the face, I find it unconscionable that any legislator could oppose an effort to take them off the streets. I once again urge the majority leadership in the State Senate to immediately take up SB 196, to address this threat to our children and communities.

In the hours following yesterday’s shooting, news quickly surfaced that there were clear warnings about the intentions of the evil perpetrator of this act. Despite online threats made by the shooter which specifically stated his intentions to commit violent acts (both in his former school and against law enforcement) state, local, and federal authorities did not possess the tools that they needed to prevent the shooter’s access to deadly weapons. Currently our State statutes prohibit the registration of firearms in Florida. This means that when threats are issued, our law enforcement is unable to determine if a suspect has access to weapons that would allow them to carry out their threat. My bill, SB 1476, would eliminate the Florida statute that currently bars the creation of a statewide firearm registry.

The gaps in our current gun safety laws are so major and so numerous that the prospect of taking action may seem daunting. My fellow state legislators need to be aware that the vehicles to provide for gun safety in Florida exist in current bills that have not yet been given the chance to be heard. We can take action to prevent future violence before the legislative session ends in March, and our legislators must be held accountable if they fail to do so.

It is too late to stop the horrors of yesterday, but it is not too late to prevent tragedy from occurring tomorrow. What we saw yesterday is the direct result of a failure by the Legislature to act. The students of Parkland suffered from that failure, and in the wake of this tragedy, they are calling upon us to act. Broward County School Superintendent Runcie has told us that in the hours following this tragedy students have reached out to him telling him that now is the time for us to have a “reasonable conversation about gun safety legislation.” We owe it to the victims of this horrifying event to take immediate action to address comprehensive gun safety legislation.

One of the most common descriptions of this event that I have heard and read on social media is that this was a “senseless tragedy.” That is wrong. This wasn’t senseless. It was the logical, even likely result of our failure to regulate the sale of firearms. It was the result of a steady stream of obstruction by the gun industry. And it was the result of law enforcement not being provided with the tools needed to stop events like. What is senseless is that mass killing after mass killing occurs in this country, but we only express remorse and call for thoughts & prayers but fail to take action to stop these events from happening. Enough!!

As a State Senator, and more importantly as a father, I will not rest until we can ensure the safety of our children and communities. I will fight tooth and nail against every dangerous and nonsensical pro-gun piece of legislation in the State Senate. I will not allow our State Legislature to act as a contributing factor to the horrifying violence that we saw this week, and I demand that my fellow legislators do the same.

For those affected by this tragedy, the following resources have been made available:

Grief counselors are available for all of our students, families and staff.

To speak to a BCPS Family Counselor from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16, call 754-321-HELP or 754-321-4357.  You can also email [email protected].

In addition, for Marjory Stoneman Douglas students, grief counselors are on site at the following locations:

Pine Trails Park Recreation Center and Amphitheater 

Coral Springs Gymnasium    

Coral Springs Center For The Arts 

For Marjory Stoneman Douglas staff members, grief counselors are available at Parkland Library.

For those seeking to provide help to those affected by this tragedy, a GoFundMe account has been established to help provide for their needs: GoFundMe.com/stonemandouglasfund or BrowardEducationFoundation.org.

Gov. Scott: We Must Have a Real Conversation About Keeping Students Safe

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that he will be organizing meetings with state and local leaders in Tallahassee next week to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness. Governor Scott remains in Broward County and has continued to be briefed by law enforcement, emergency management, and local school officials. Additional details on next week’s meetings will be announced in the coming days.

Governor Scott said, “This senseless act of evil is absolutely heart wrenching. Our entire state is in mourning, and we have to make sure something like this never happens again. The violence must stop. We cannot lose another child in this country because of violence in our schools. We need to have a real conversation about public safety and protecting schools in our state. That is why, next week I will be organizing meetings with state and local leaders in Tallahassee to discuss what we must do immediately to keep our schools safe and keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals.

“As a father and grandfather, I cannot imagine the pain these families are going through, and Florida’s parents need to be able to wake up every morning and know their children are going to a safe school. We have an opportunity right now during the ongoing legislative session to have this important conversation, and I have spoken to Senate President Negron and House Speaker Corcoran who are incredibly focused on this. My goal is that these meetings and conversations will help us move forward and protect our schools, our families, and our students.”

Nelson calls on Congress to act following Parkland school shooting

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) spoke today on the Senate floor about the tragic shooting at Marjory Douglas Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida.

“At some point, we’ve got to say enough is enough,” Nelson said. “At some point we, as a society, have to come together and put a stop to this.”

“To those who say it’s not the time to talk about gun violence because it’s too soon, we don’t want to politicize right after a tragedy … then I would ask, when is the right time?” Nelson said. “How many more times do we want to do this? How many more folks have to die?”

“Let’s have the conversation about this right now – not just about mental illness, and that’s part of it, not just about protection at our schools, and that’s part of it – let’s get to the root cause … let’s get these assault weapons off our streets,” Nelson said.

“Let’s just not talk about it. Let’s do something about it,” Nelson said. “Let’s make what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a pivotal moment in this country’s history, not because it was one of the largest mass shootings – but, hopefully, because it was the last.”

Following is a rush transcript of his speech:

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks on the Senate Floor
February 15, 2018

Sen. Nelson: Mr. President, those were all our children.

Those of us who are parents, you can imagine the parents of those children wondering what else can be done.

Because yesterday a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in northern Broward County, Parkland, Florida, walked on to the campus with a gas mask, smoke grenades, and carrying an AR-15 assault rifle. He pulled the fire alarm. He waited for the students to come out into the hallway and he opened fire.

And as a result, 17 families are grieving. Their worst fears have become reality, and more than a dozen other students who were injured, they’re in the hospital and some of them in critical condition.

At some point, we’ve got to say enough is enough. At some point, we as a society have got to come together and put a stop to this. This senator grew up on a ranch. I have hunted all my life. I have had guns all my life.

I still hunt with my son. But an AR-15 is not for hunting. It’s for killing. But despite these horrific events that are occurring over and over, these tragedies have led so many of us to come right here to this floor and to beg our colleagues to take commonsense actions that we all know will help protect our children and our fellow citizens from these kind of tragedies. And we get nowhere.

So when is enough going to be enough?

Sandy Hook elementary, 20 students killed. That wasn’t enough.

The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, 49 people killed, a terrorist. That wasn’t enough.

Las Vegas, 58 people killed, that wasn’t enough.

Or just a year ago in the same county as the Parkland murders, Broward county, Fort Lauderdale airport, five people killed. That wasn’t enough.

Now this high school, 17 killed, some as young as 14 years old. So when is enough going to be enough?

This senator has spoken to local officials on the ground. I’ve spoken to the superintendent of the schools who in his own way is going through the grieving process.

I’ve spoken to the F.B.I. I’ve spoken to the sheriff’s department to make sure that they have everything they need, but when I finish talking to these folks and as we get through with the Dreamer legislation today, I’m headed down there and when I go to the hospital and see the families and see the hospital victims, all I can thank is how many more times are we going to have to go through this?

And those families are going to say to me, when is enough, enough?

To those who say now that it’s not the time to talk about gun violence because it’s too soon, we don’t want to politicize right after a tragedy, that’s what is said over and over. Then I would ask, when is the time?

If now is not the right time, when is the right time? After the next shooting? Or after the one that’s going to come after that? Because these are not going to stop unless we change ourselves as a culture.

How many more times do we have to do this? How many more folks have to die? When is enough going to be enough?

So let’s don’t hide from it. Let’s have a conversation about this right now, not just about mental illness and that’s part of it, not just about protection at our schools and that’s part of it.

Let’s get to the root cause. Let’s come together and help end this violence.

Let’s talk about that 19-year-old carrying an AR-15. Let’s do what needs to be done and let’s get these assault weapons off our streets. Let’s accomplish something on background checks.

My state passed a constitutional amendment, Florida, 1998. Background checks have to be done in the purchase of a gun. It’s never been implemented totally and it’s never been enforced. A simple background check.

The terrorist that killed 49 in Orlando at the Pulse nightclub, he had been on the terrorist watch list. If we’d have had a background check there, he wasn’t on it but maybe in a background check, we ought to include those who had been on a terrorist watch list.

Let’s have a conversation about this.

Oh, and do you remember a couple of years ago there was a proposal on the floor that if you’re on the terrorist watch list, you can’t buy a gun. That’s pretty common sense. We won’t let them get on an airplane because we don’t want them taking down a commercial airliner. But they don’t have a restriction of buying a gun.

So let’s get at the root cause of this issue. Let’s do what we all know needs to be done. And let’s do it now, not later.

Let’s just not talk about it. Let’s do something about it.

Let’s make what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a pivotal moment in this country’s history, not because it was one of the largest mass shootings, but hopefully because it was the last.

It’s with a heavy heart, Madam President, I yield the floor.

Statement by Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam

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In response to requests, please see the statement attributable to Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam:

“I mourn, along with the rest of the country, for those who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and their loved ones, and out of respect for their families and those suffering as a result of this tragedy, I’m working with bill sponsors to postpone consideration of the legislative proposal related to the licensing process.

“While the shooter would not have even been eligible for a concealed weapon license and clearly had a troubled past that indicated serious mental health issues, the focus now should be on mental health and how we protect our children.

“All of us have an obligation to notify authorities when we see the behavior that this killer exhibited online and in school.”

Statement from Majority Leader Wilton Simpson on School Shooting

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“On a day meant to celebrate love, 17 promising futures came to an end in Parkland yesterday. As I watched the events unfold and the stories told of terror and heroism today, I want to echo the sentiment of condolences followed by the need for immediate action.”

“As elected leaders, we have no greater responsibility than protecting our children. Our schools should be shrines to learning and possibility where our students feel safe and secure.  We are working today to immediately identify and direct funding to hardening our schools and provide for armed resource officers on every campus for safety and prevention. We must  stand together and support the allocation of $100 million for mental health screening, counseling and training.”

“In the days and weeks to come, the Florida Senate will work to ensure our students and teachers are safe. Increased security for both safety and prevention, hardening our schools, mental health resources, active shooter training and improving how we communicate with our students – everything must be a part of the discussion as we work to secure Florida’s schools.”

Public Information Meeting for Wekiva Parkway Section 7A

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a pre-construction public information meeting about the Wekiva Parkway Section 7A project in Seminole County. The public meeting is being held to review the construction plans and schedule.

This project is funded for construction of 3.5 miles of limited access toll road along the existing State Road (S.R.) 46 corridor from a half mile east of Wekiva Park Drive to Orange Boulevard. The project also includes parallel, non-tolled, one-lane frontage roads for local travel. Roundabouts are planned as safety enhancements at the intersections under the parkway. Lighting is planned under the bridges and on frontage road approaches to the roundabouts. Work is scheduled to begin in February or March of 2018.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lakeside Fellowship United Methodist Church’s new location: 121 N. Henderson Lane in Sanford. The meeting is an informal open house where plans are available for review and project staff is available to address questions.

Persons who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services, free of charge, should contact Ms. Mary Brooks, Quest Corporation of America, by writing to her at 2431 Aloma Avenue, Suite 231, Winter Park, FL 32792, by calling 407-694-5505 or contacting her via email at [email protected]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice).

Public participation is sought without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by email at [email protected].

For media inquiries, please contact Steve Olson, FDOT communications manager, at [email protected], or 386-943-5479. Maps and other project information can be found at www.wekivaparkway.com. Follow the project on Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates.

UNF Women’s History Month Luncheon Features Activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes

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The Women’s Center and Department of Diversity Initiatives at the University of North Florida present advocate and activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes as the keynote speaker for the Women’s History Month Luncheon at noon Wednesday, March 14, in the Student Union, Building 58W, Ballroom, Room 3703.

This year’s national theme for Women’s History Month is “Nevertheless She Persisted.” Pitman Hughes, who gave voice to the reality that issues of race and gender are inseparable in the fight for civil rights, will be discussing her personal journey.

In the early 70s, she teamed up with Gloria Steinem, and the duo inspired women throughout the U.S. to shed their fears of economic, social and political self‐empowerment and to exercise their right to self‐determination. Pitman Hughes and Steinem fought tirelessly to knock down barriers of sexism, racism and classism, working to unify and strengthen the women’s movement through community organizing and job creation.

Pitman Hughes co-founded New York City’s Agency for Child Development, the forerunner to one of the agencies that now provides care for over 250,000 children daily and employs thousands of workers. She organized the first shelter for battered women in New York City and was one of the original founders of the Women’s Action Alliance. Pitman Hughes was also part of the research team that created the Business Resource and Investment Service Center, which focused on the development of small, locally owned businesses in Harlem.

Locally, Pitman Hughes opened the Gateway Bookstore in Jacksonville’s Northside neighborhood to bring educational resources, community outreach initiatives as well as reading and homework coaching to marginalized young people seeking mentorship and advocacy. She has continued to work with Steinem and other Jacksonville activists to address poverty with the creation of community gardens.

She is the author of “Wake Up and Smell the Dollars” and “I’m Just Saying…It Looks Like Ethnic Cleansing (The Gentrification of Harlem).” She also wrote a chapter in “When We Were Free to Be,” a collection of essays documenting the rise of non‐sexist children’s culture during the 70s. She recently released a collaborative work written with J.R. Schuman, titled “Ain’t I a Woman Too?,” which offers readers a unique and personal insight into her life and work. A biography, “With Her Fist Raised,” is expected to be published early next year.

Pitman Hughes has received numerous awards, including the Esther Award, which was presented by Bishop S.N. Snipes on behalf of the Martin Luther King Educational Foundation and the Women of Valor Award for raising money to support organizations providing services for battered women.

Following the luncheon, there will be a book signing and a Q&A session. Tickets for the Women’s History Month Luncheon can be purchased here or at the UNF Ticket Box Office, Building 8, Room 1100. General admission tickets cost $25. Tables are also available for $250; each table seats eight guests and includes table signage, preferential seating and recognition during the program.

For more information about the event, contact Joanna Hillman, Women’s Center coordinator, at (904) 620-5515 or at [email protected].

Statement on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

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As Floridians continue to grapple with the massacres at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, our state is mourning yet another mass shooting, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County. At least 17 people have died, while many others have been injured. Our thoughts are with the Parkland community and those families forever impacted by today’s unspeakable tragedy.
The shooter, now in custody, was reportedly a former student who apparently chose an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle to use as his weapon. These types of weapons have been used in mass shootings again and again, including Aurora, Colorado; Newtown, Connecticut; San Bernardino, California; Orlando, Florida; Sutherland Springs, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Right now, the Florida Legislature has before it legislation to ban military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines but has failed to act.
This shooting is further proof that semiautomatic weapons do not belong in the hands of civilians. They are weapons of mass destruction. The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters of Florida call upon our Legislature currently in Session to hear and pass the ban on assault weapons — HB 219 and SB 196.
Our hearts break for the young lives that were ripped away in a senseless and all-too-common act of brutality. The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence is committed to fighting for smart, responsible gun legislation. The federal government will not change these laws; the state of Florida can and should protect its citizens, and most importantly its children.

MEMORANDUM: Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

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MEMORANDUM

TO: Tom Berger
Director of Real Estate Management and Development

FROM: Governor Rick Scott

DATE: February 14, 2018

RE: Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

In honor and remembrance of the victims of the senseless violence committed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida.  The flags shall be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff until sunset on Monday, February 19, 2018.

DNC Chair on Mass School Shooting in Florida

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DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement in response to the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida:

“I’m heartbroken by the tragedy in Parkland. My heart goes out to the victims of this senseless shooting and their families, as well as all of the brave first responders who prevented further carnage.

“We have seen these atrocities too many times before. This is not normal. This is not acceptable. This is not inevitable. It’s long past time for our leaders to stop pretending we are helpless in the face of such tragedy.

“No child should be afraid to go to school. No American should be afraid to go to work or their place of worship. No one in this country should be afraid to go to a shopping mall or baseball field, night club or movie theater, concert or college campus. We must come together as Americans and do everything we can to ensure that horrific attacks like this become a thing of the past.”