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Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

Florida Police Chiefs Association Statement on Senate Bill 310

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Statement from FPCA Executive Director Amy Mercer

“We can’t ignore threats to our communities. In the wake of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, we applaud the committee for passing Senate Bill 310 and thank sponsor Senator Steube and co-sponsor Senator Baxley for bringing this bill forward. SB 310 is critical to Florida’s police and all law enforcement officers as the legislature moves to address school and community safety.

“The law has not kept up with how we communicate in a digital age. This bill will update our laws around online threats.

“There is a misconception that a law like this is already on the books and that law enforcement can assess, and take action, on threats made online.

“SB 310 will allow law enforcement to act on a broader range of threats, including those made on social media. The bill makes it a third-degree felony to create and send certain written threats, including electronic communications, to kill or do great bodily harm.

“Under current law, law enforcement officers’ hands are tied when they try to act on non-specific threats made through digital platforms. The warning signs aren’t missed, law enforcement just doesn’t have the tools they need to act on them.

“Our law enforcement officers need the tools to do their jobs to protect our schools and our communities. This bill allows them to act on the warning signs.”

Gov. Scott to Highlight Major Action Plan and $500 Million Investment to Keep Florida Students Safe

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MEDIA ADVISORY

Today, February 27th, Governor Rick Scott will highlight his action plan to make major changes to help keep Florida students safe, including a $500 million investment in school safety and mental health. The Governor’s proposal, which was announced last week, followed the emergency meetings Governor Scott organized with law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, mental health experts, and state agency leadership, as well as meetings the Governor hosted with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: 4:00 PM

WHERE: Miami-Dade Police Department
9105 NW 25th Street
Doral, FL 33172

NOTE: Media who wish to attend, please contact Miami-Dade Police Department Major Hector Llevat at (305) 471-1900 or [email protected].

Senate Committee Advances Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act

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Senate Committee on Rules Passes Critical Public Safety Legislation

The Florida Senate Committee on Rules, chaired by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R-Ft. Myers) today passed Senate Bill 7026, The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The legislation represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the issues presented by the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, including firearm and school safety, and community mental health resources.

“Just 12 days ago 17 of our fellow citizens lost their lives and 14 more of our citizens were seriously injured. The victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School did nothing more than get up on an ordinary day and go to school and work the way they had done thousands of times before,” said Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), who presented Senate Bill 7026 today. “This legislation provides law enforcement, the courts, and schools with the tools necessary to enhance public and school safety and will enhance coordination between education and law enforcement entities at the state and local levels to help prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.”

“Nothing we will do in the State Legislature will fill the void created in the families of the victims, their school, or their community. However, this comprehensive legislation will honor their memory by helping to ensure every community across the state has the resources needed to identify and treat those suffering from mental illness, to improve the safety and security of local schools, and to ensure those suffering from mental illness do not have access to firearms,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).

A summary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act as passed by the Senate Committee on Rules is below.

Mental Health:

  • Authorizes a law enforcement officer who is taking a person into custody for an involuntary examination under the Baker Act to seize and hold a firearm or ammunition from the person for at least 72 hours, or until the person appears at the agency to retrieve the firearm or ammunition.
  • Prohibits a person who has been adjudicated mentally defective or who has been committed to a mental institution from owning or possessing a firearm until a court orders otherwise.
  • Creates a process for a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency to petition a court for a risk protection order to temporarily prevent persons who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms when a person poses a significant danger to himself or herself or others, including significant danger as a result of a mental health crisis or violent behavior.
  • Provides a court can issue a risk protection order for up to 12 months.
  • Requires the surrender of all firearms and ammunition if a risk protection order is issued.
  • Provides a process for a risk protection order to be vacated or extended.
  • Codifies the Multiagency Service Network for Students with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SEDNET) as a function of the DOE in partnership with other state, regional, and local entities to facilitate collaboration and communication between the specified entities.
  • Creates the mental health assistance allocation to provide supplemental funding to assist school districts and charter schools in establishing or expanding comprehensive mental health programs, and to connect students and families with appropriate services.

Firearms Safety:

  • Requires a three-day waiting period for all firearms, not just handguns, or until the background check is completed, whichever is later. Provides exceptions for:
    • Concealed weapons permit holders, and
    • For firearms other than handguns, an exception for individuals who have completed a 16 hour hunter safety course.
  • Prohibits a person under 21 years of age from purchasing a firearm, and a licensed firearm dealers, importers, and manufacturers, from selling a firearm, except in the case of a member of the military, or a law enforcement or correctional officer.
  • Prohibits a bump-fire stock from being imported, transferred, distributed, transported, sold, keeping for sale, offering or exposing for sale, or giving away within the state.

School Safety:

  • Establishes the Commission on School Safety and Security within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to investigate system failures in the Parkland school shooting and prior mass shooting events, and develop recommendations for system improvements.
  • Codifies the Office of Safe Schools (office) within the Florida Department of Education (DOE), and specifies purpose for the office is to serve as the state education agency’s primary coordinating division for promoting and supporting safe-learning environments.
  • Creates the Florida Sheriff’s Marshal Program within the DOE as a voluntary program to assist school districts and public schools in enhancing the safety and security of students, faculty, staff, and visitors to Florida’s public schools and campuses.
  • Establishes the Public School Emergency Response Learning System Program to assist school personnel in preparing for and responding to active emergency situations, and to implement local notification systems for all Florida public schools.
  • Requires each district school board and school district superintendent to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to assign one or more safe-school officers at each school facility, and:
    • Requires each district school board to designate a district school safety specialist to serve as the district’s primary point of public contact for public school safety functions.
    • Requires each school district to designate school safety specialists and a threat assessment team at each school, and requires the team to operate under the district school safety specialist’s direction.
  • Clarifies the applicability of public records exemptions for security systems and plans to give confidence that video footage that could reveal the location and capabilities of security cameras is exempt from public records.

Nelson calls on Congress to enact common sense gun reforms in wake of Parkland shooting

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today called on Congress to enact common sense gun-control measures in the wake of the Feb. 14 Parkland school shooting.

In a speech on the Senate floor late Monday, Nelson urged his colleagues to take up and pass legislation to ban semi-automatic assault rifles, like the AR-15 , and expand the use of comprehensive background checks for anyone acquiring a firearm.

“What happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas shouldn’t happen anywhere in this country,” Nelson said. “And now it is up to us to make sure it never happens again.”

Nelson cosponsored legislation that would, among other things, ban the sale, transfer or manufacture of semi-automatic assault rifles, such as the AR-15. The legislation would also ban so-called “bump stocks” and high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

Nelson is also a cosponsor of a separate piece of legislation that would close the so-called “gun-show loophole” by requiring a background check for the sale or transfer of any firearm, regardless of where it is purchased.

“It’s time for us to come together and enact common sense gun measures to keep our communities safe,” Nelson said. “It’s time to for us to come together, not as Republicans or Democrats, but to come together as human beings.”

“Let’s use this tragedy as the catalyst to enact real change in our society,” Nelson said. “Let’s make what happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a significant moment in our country’s history – not because it was one of the largest mass shootings – but because it was the last.”

Students Lead the Cry at Rally by Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, LWVFL

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Students led the cry demanding gun law reform at a Wednesday afternoon rally in Tallahassee, as thousands gathered in support at the Historic Florida Capitol. Hosted by the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence and the League of Women Voters of Florida, the young people raised up their voices with intelligence and grace just one week after 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a 19-year-old using a military-style assault weapon.
“The League of Women Voters of Florida is honored to stand with these courageous, passionate, and fierce students and this movement for safe gun legislation in Florida,” said Pamela Goodman, president of the state League. “We support their call for a ban on assault weapons in our state and vow to speak to every legislator in every office, committee, and session until our officials adjourn in 2½ weeks. Hear the bills, debate them, and pass them.”
Patricia Brigham, co-chair of the Coalition and 1st vice president of the Florida League agreed. “Today we heard the voices of our future voters. Through the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the many others who rallied by the thousands at the Capitol, we are seeing the tide turn toward responsible gun reform before our eyes. Our students are leading the way.”
For the past two legislative sessions, the Coalition and League have supported a ban on the sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.

Senator Linda Stewart Files Amendments Banning Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines

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State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) has filed two amendments to confront the urgent need for gun safety reform onto bills presently scheduled for a floor vote this morning. Both amendments ban the sale of civilian versions of military assault weapons and the high capacity magazines that make them so lethal. For the past two years, Senator Stewart has relentlessly pushed to enact gun violence prevention legislation. The amendments filed Tuesday afternoon ensure that the 17 souls lost in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre were not in vain, but instead are a call to action. Each amendment revises SB 1048 and HB 55, bills that were designed to promote the proliferation of firearms in Florida, including in schools.

“These bills quintessentially reflect how out-of-touch our state legislature has become,” said Senator Stewart. “My amendments are simple: Ban high-capacity magazines and weapons of mass murder. If you stand for life and family values, how can you sit idly as children are being slaughtered and lives are being forever shattered? How can we, as lawmakers charged with the safety and well-being of our state’s citizens, continue to do nothing?”

Senators will convene in the Senate Chamber at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The amendments are intended to prevent weapons specifically designed to deliver high rates of lethal gunfire without the need to pause and reload from falling into the hands of people such as the shooter who carried out the MSD High School massacre. Students from MSD High School will be present in the gallery before they join the Rally Supporting Gun Safety Reforms.

Gov. Scott Convenes Florida Leaders to Work on Solutions to Keep Students Safe

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Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland last week, Governor Scott said that he would be quickly organizing meetings with state and local leaders to discuss ways to keep Florida students safe, including school safety improvements and keeping guns away from individuals struggling with mental illness. Tomorrow, February 20th, Governor Scott has organized state and local leaders to meet for workshops at the Florida Department of Education (DOE), the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Sheriffs Association. These groups will consist of members of law enforcement, school administrators, teachers, mental health experts, and state agency leadership. Governor Scott will be attending these workshops throughout the day and will hold a roundtable to discuss their findings at the end of the day.

All meetings will be open to the media and address the following:

  • The education workshop will focus on school safety improvements and updating school security protocols and emergency plans.
  • The mental health and child welfare workshop will focus on ways to expand mental health services for Floridians, especially students, and improve coordination between state, local and private behavioral health partners.
  • The law enforcement workshop will focus on ensuring individuals struggling from mental illness do not have access to guns and potential safety improvements for firearm policies.

Governor Scott said, “I have spent the last week in Parkland talking to members of the community, students and families of the victims who are suffering following this horrific shooting. While there are only three weeks left of the legislative session, we must make changes to keep students safe.  A tragedy like what occurred in Broward County must never happen again and swift action is needed now. I am bringing local and state leaders together to find solutions on how to prevent violence in our schools and keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill individuals. This is an urgent matter that we must address quickly.”

These meetings are not open to the public, but will be live-streamed by the Florida Channel at thefloridachannel.org. A website will be provided to submit public input.

WHAT: Workshop with education officials

WHEN: 10:00AM -12:00PM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Department of Education
325 W Gaines St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

WHAT: Workshop with child welfare advocates and behavioral health leaders

WHEN: 9:00AM -11:00AM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Department of Children and Families
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

WHAT: Workshop with Florida’s law enforcement community

WHEN: 10:00AM -12:00PM; 2:00PM – 4:00PM

WHERE: Florida Sheriffs Association
2617 Mahan Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308

WHAT: Roundtable with Governor Scott and leadership members from workshop groups

WHEN: 5:30PM

WHERE: Florida State Capitol
Governor’s Large Conference Room
400 S Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399

NOTE: The Florida Channel will be live-streaming the meetings at thefloridachannel.org

Sen. Daphne Campbell calls for assault weapons ban in Florida

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State Senator Daphne Campbell on Thursday issued the following statement:

“The tragedy at Stoneman Douglas High School deeply trouble me. The time for a “having a conversation” is now. We must take substantive action to ensure that acts of violence like this never happen again. I call on Governor Scott and my colleagues in the House and Senate to support legislation banning the sale of assault weapons (SB 196/H219 in our state.

“Mass shooting like: Aurora, Sandy Hook, Pulse, Las Vegas and Sutherland TX all have one thing in common and that an assault weapon was used to kill a large number of innocent citizens in a short period of time.  It baffles me that a teenager in our state can walk into a gun store and purchase a machine of death without a mental evaluation, or a waiting period, before walking out of the store with a gun.

“How many Floridians must die before we take action? Now must be different, now is the time that we must buck the gun lobby and enact common sense solutions that will protect our children, our cities, and our state. No Floridian should be able to possess a weapon that was developed for use on a battlefield.

“Let’s end these senseless killing in our state, let’s make Florida a safer place for our children and neighbors. We have the power to make a difference. Let’s start now.”

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.

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.”