ORLANDO, Fla. _ Fresh off a defeat in their request for a special legislative session to address gun violence, Democratic lawmakers in Florida have shifted their focus to moving proposals forward in the upcoming session.
At a news conference Monday, activists and legislators expressed frustration and disappointment at the special session being voted down. Among proposals they sought consideration for were to require background checks on firearms transfers; banning the sale, transfer or possession of large-capacity magazines; reducing the duration of concealed-carry licenses; expanding red-flag laws; and creating a task force to study gun violence.
Pulse nightclub shooting survivor Brandon Wolf said state leadership has spent years waiting out activists, but they plan to continue pushing.
"We can't be patient, because patience is getting us killed. It's easy to preach patience when it's not your funeral to plan," Wolf said. "When committee weeks start, we'll be here. When session starts, we'll be here ... we'll always be here until something gets done."
On a special session, Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva said in a statement last week that "we must always strive to do something right, rather than just do something. We have committee weeks coming up and regular session shortly thereafter. I have no doubt that there will be robust discussions about our Second Amendment rights, mental health and their importance in our society."
He also said he's "always been particularly proud that we work on this issue in a bipartisan manner."
Senate President Bill Galvano assigned Sen. Tom Lee, a Tampa Bay Republican, to study gun violence, and factors that lead to it.
State Sen. Victor Torres, a Kissimmee Democrat and former New York City police officer, said he'd like to be included and sees an opening for Democrats to at least get hearings for bills.
"I would like to be on the committee," Torres said. "If I'm on there I would gladly, gladly support the bills that were presented before and see if we can move on them and get the committee to vote on them."
The call for a special session required 60% approval from both the House and Senate. But in a poll released by the secretary of state's office Friday the majority in both chambers voted no. However, not every member had cast ballots yet.
State Rep. Geraldine Thompson, a Windermere Democrat, said she thought it was realistic to get consideration for gun violence legislation this upcoming session.
"Particularly when Speaker Oliva says that a special session so close to the regular session convening, (it) suggests that they're open to discussing," Thompson said. "If they're saying bipartisanship, we're going to push for bipartisanship. We're going to push to be heard and included."
