Parkland shooting

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.”