Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Florida Governor Rick Scott Just Signed a Gun Bill the NRA Hates

Florida Governor Rick Scott Just Signed a Gun Bill the NRA Hates
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Finally, after endless debate and countless shootings in schools all across the United States, it seems the first steps are finally being made towards gun reform. On Friday, March 9, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, a bi-partisan compromise bill that regulates many aspects of purchasing a gun that came into play prior to the shooting in Parkland.


Many Americans are hoping similar steps will be taken in other states, if not at a federal level.

In some ways, the new law is a big step for those who have called for stricter gun control.

But it also includes some controversial sections, including a measure to arm some teachers and a conspicuous lack of legislation regarding assault rifles..

This legislation was clearly influence by the #NeverAgain movement, spearheaded by survivors of the shooting in Parkland, Florida.

On February 14, a gunman killed 17 innocent people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, many survivors became vocal advocates of stricter gun control laws, appearing all across the media and organizing the March for Our Lives, which will take place in Washington D.C. on March 24 and is expected to host 500,000 people.

Governor Scott doesn't agree with everything in the bill, especially the passage which allows the armament of teachers. He addressed this during the conference by saying:

I still think law enforcement officers should be the ones who protect our schools. I've heard all the arguments for teachers to be armed and, while this bill would significantly change on this topic, I'm still not persuaded. I'm glad, however, the plan is not mandatory, which means it be up to local elected officials.

Some Twitter users, however were skeptical of his sincerity.

Tony Montalto, father of one of the Parkland shooting victims, read a statement following the bill's signage:

When it comes to preventing future acts of horrific school violence, this is beginning of the journey. We have paid a terrible price for this progress. We call on more states, to follow Florida's lead, and create meaningful legislation to make all schools safer.

Though most seem to agree the bill is at least a step in the right direction, the NRA is vehemently opposed to it.

They filed a lawsuit against the state of Florida almost immediately. Their largest qualm with the bill is its restriction on buying guns until a person is 21 years of age. The NRA argues that this violates individuals 2nd and 14th amendments. The second amendment famously upholds an individuals right to bear arms, while the 14th defines what constitutes a U.S. citizen and forbids States (like Florida) from infringing on any constitutionally granted rights. The lawsuit claims that at the age of 18, Americans are considered adults "for almost all purposes and certainly for the purposes of the exercise of fundamental constitutional rights."

After all, if you can enlist in the military at 18, shouldn't you legally be allowed to own a gun?

Though the perfect answer to America's gun violence problem still eludes lawmakers, bills like the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act are a definite improvement on what America has typically done after a mass-shooting: nothing. Perhaps with forward steps like this one, we may find ourselves in a much safer world before long.

H/T - Twitter, CNN

More from News

Serena Williams; Coco Gauff
Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images; Robert Prange/Getty Images

Serena Williams Offers Cheeky Advice To Coco Gauff After She Smashed Her Racket Following Australian Open Loss

There's no better person to take advice from than someone who's gone through exactly what you're going through right now. Having four Olympic Gold medals might not hurt, either.

While participating in the Australian Open quarterfinals, tennis star Coco Gauff was moved to tears when she lost the competition to Elina Svitolina. But the cameras kept rolling after she stepped off the court, revealing that she smashed her tennis racket out of frustration once alone in the back halls of the athletic center.

Keep Reading Show less
TikToker Romeo Bingham; Dr. Pepper
@romeosshow/TikTok; Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

People Are Floored After Dr. Pepper Actually Uses TikToker's Catchy Jingle In Commercial

Let's be real: You'll never get what you want if you don't shoot your shot.

That was what TikToker Romeo Bingham decided when she was bored and suddenly came up with the idea for a new jingle for Dr. Pepper.

Keep Reading Show less
Jennifer Grey Shares Poignant Thoughts After 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Is Set To Start Filming—And Fans Are Thrilled
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Getty Images

Jennifer Grey Shares Poignant Thoughts After 'Dirty Dancing' Sequel Is Set To Start Filming—And Fans Are Thrilled

In 1987, audiences had the time of their lives when Dirty Dancing hit theaters. Nearly 40 years later, that story is officially stepping back onto the dance floor.

Lionsgate announced Tuesday, January 27, that Jennifer Grey will reprise her role as Frances “Baby” Houseman in an upcoming Dirty Dancing sequel. The project will be produced by The Hunger Games and Crazy Rich Asians producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, with filming expected to begin later this year.

Keep Reading Show less
TikTok logo
illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images

TikTok Now Claims A 'Power Outage' Is To Blame For The App's Massive Glitches—But The Internet Isn't So Sure

The new owners of U.S. TikTok—American investors to satisfy safety concerns about the app created by the Chinese technology company ByteDance—have an explanation for ongoing problems experienced by users beginning Sunday morning.

For context, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump infamously ranted about the app and vowed to permanently ban it from the United States during his first term in office.

Keep Reading Show less
Screenshot of Megyn Kelly; Picture of Alex Pretti from memorial
The Megyn Kelly Show; Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images

Megyn Kelly Slammed After Boasting About Why She Doesn't 'Feel Sorry' For ICE Shooting Victim Alex Pretti

Right-wing talk show host Megyn Kelly was slammed after she shared her reasons for not feeling "sorry" for ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by ICE agents over the weekend.

Calls for an investigation have intensified from across the political spectrum after analysis of multiple videos showed ICE officers removing a handgun from Pretti—a weapon that authorities said Pretti was permitted to carry but was not handling at the time—before fatally shooting him.

Keep Reading Show less