A bill titled the "Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act" passed by a vote of 67-50 in the Florida House Of Representatives on Wednesday night (March 7). It raised the age and to buy firearms to 21, prohibited the sale of "bump stocks" (devices that make semi-automatic firearms act similar to automatic ones), and added a waiting period for all gun purchases. It also included a provision that allows for increased school safety measures, including the controversial act of arming some school officials.

Though the bill in Florida passed, it was not without major opposition from many House Democrats, who were against its provision authorizing armed school personnel.

In fact, according to Politico, 75 percent of House Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while only 24 percent of House Democrats voted for the bill.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act Passes

The bill was passed in the Florida Senate on Monday (March 5) with a vote of 20-18. It now goes to the desk of Governor Rick Scott, where it awaits his signature to make it a law. A report by the Tampa Bay Times states that Scott has not specified whether or not he will sign the bill, though he has been outspoken in his opposition to arming teachers.

Why now?

The bill comes in response to the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School carried out by 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz which killed 17 people and injured many more.

Following the shooting, many of the survivors have been outspoken about their experiences and have channeled their grief into action. They have publicly called on lawmakers to tighten gun restrictions across the nation. They have been actively urging President Trump and other Republican lawmakers who have received political donations from the National Rifle Association (including Florida Senator Marco Rubio) to cut all ties with the association.

As evident by the compromises made by both Democrats and Republican congressmen in Florida, politicians across the country have viewed the shooting, and the uptick in a foiled school shooting attempts since the Florida one, as an opportunity to put aside political differences and work together to help protect children in schools all across the country.

Cruz, after initial attempts to run away, has admitted to the shootings. He was indicted Wednesday afternoon on 34 counts: 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of first-degree attempted murder, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
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