The Florida chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots networks, released the following statement in response to House Republicans advancing HB17, a bill to repeal the law that requires a 3-day waiting period on all dealer sales and to reopen the deadly “Charleston Loophole,” and HB1223 which would lower the minimum age which person may purchase firearm back down from 21 to 18. These votes comes just one week after the 6-year marker of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were shot and killed and 17 others were wounded.
“Repealing these necessary safeguards would be a direct slap in the face to gun violence survivors, those who have lost loved ones, and all Floridians who want to feel safe in their communities,” said Katie Hathaway, a volunteer with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Our lawmakers have shown us who they are committed to serving — it is not their communities but a gun lobby that feeds on their political ambition and rakes in millions of dollars at the cost of our lives.”
“It’s clear Florida extremists don’t have an ounce of dignity left if they’re trying to gut the gun safety laws we passed after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas,” said Juliana Tripodi, a student at Leon High School and volunteer leader with the Florida Students Demand Action chapter. “They don’t get to disrespect victims of gun violence and keep their seats. We’re taking names of every single lawmaker who voted to advance HB17 and HB1223. The House and Senate must do everything in its power now to make sure these bills don’t reach the Governor’s desk.”
People aged 18 to 20 are three times more likely to commit gun homicides than those 21 and older.
In an average year over 2,800 people are killed by guns in Florida, and over 5,200 more are shot and wounded. Gun violence costs Florida $40.3 billion each year, of which $875.9 million is paid by taxpayers. More information on gun violence in Florida is available here.
