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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C.
March 8, 2018
EMGAGE ACTION RAISES CONCERN OVER FLORIDA’S GUN REFORM LEGISLATION
Emgage Florida is disappointed by the Florida Legislature’s passage of SB 7026: Public Safety, better known as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.
The bill passed the Florida House by a 63-50 vote Wednesday evening after it passed the Florida Senate by a 20-18 vote on Monday.
David Sleeth, Florida Legislative and Policy Director, said: “While Emgage Florida was originally pleased by the Florida Legislature’s quick action to pass a gun safety bill following the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last month, we were ultimately disappointed by the move to add a provision arming school personnel on school campuses.”
Emgage Florida believes that the minor improvements to gun safety in the state of Florida contained in the bill are outweighed by the so-called Guardian Program that will put Florida students at increased risk of gun violence at school, particularly students of color.
Sleeth continued: “Emgage Florida is committed to supporting common sense gun safety legislation. The frequency of mass shootings in our nation is unacceptable, and we urge our elected officials to champion targeted bills to protect the safety of our children in our schools without adding more weapons on campus.”
We urge Governor Rick Scott to veto the bill, and we urge the Florida Legislature to go back to the drawing board and ultimately pass a bill that will actually make Floridians safer.
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Visit EmgageAction.org to learn more about how Muslim Americans are engaging politically to ensure that America continues to remain inclusive and tolerant for everyone.
For more information, please contact: dsleeth@emgageaction.org.
