SB 7026: The New Gun Standard

Last Friday, Governor Rick Scott made history when he signed into law the first successful gun control measure in Florida in more than two decades.

Called the “The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act,” FL SB 7026 is a win for those affected by the shooting on February 14th. The 105-page bill, FL SB 7026 (18R), allows for the hiring of more school resources officers, physical security improvements to schools, increased minimum age and waiting-period limits on shotgun and rifle purchases and more police powers to seize weapons from dangerous people.

While FL SB 7026 is no doubt a slap in the face to the National Rifle Association, it picks up where companies such as Dick’s, Walmart, and Kroger began with an increase in the minimum age for gun purchases.

From the outside looking in on Tallahassee, many are perplexed as to why an elected official would vote against a bill that proves to be a starting point in helping ensure another massacre such as Parkland never takes place in another American high school ever again. Nevertheless, the NRA stepped up to try tip the scale in their favor by sending emails urging constituents to call representatives who were being strong-armed by House leaders.

State Representatives such as Tom Leek from Orlando received phone calls and emails from constituents who told him to move if he supported SB 7026.

Critics call the gun bill nothing more than ‘feel good’ legislation, but the reality is SB 7026 puts provisions in place to protect communities throughout the Sunshine State, and sets a standard to which everyone can be held. SB 7026 was never intended to be a catch all solution, but rather it provides a foundational starting point.

Opponents of the bill say it either does not go far enough or it infringes on the rights of law abiding citizens and leaves the 18-21 year old age group unable to purchase guns for self-defense. However, the extreme ends of both sides of this argument fail to recognize that both sides had to give a little to see this bill found itself on the Governor’s desk.

The most interesting part of SB 7026 is the fact that it was passed by a Republican led legislature. In a time of political polarization, the swiftness in which this bill was passed and signed into law showed not just Floridians, but America as a whole, what happens when politicians put people over politics.

Looking ahead to the midterm elections, there is little doubt that the gun debate will maintain its momentum. From the local races to statewide races, it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Scott’s endorsement of SB 7026 will force Senator Bill Nelson to go left on the gun debate. Nelson will spend a majority of his time on the trail in the coming months lamenting to voters that SB 7026 does not go far enough, and Governor Rick Scott fell short with the signing of this bill.

There is no question Nelson will try and take jabs at Governor Scott, but the reality is, Governor Scott has done more for Florida in eight years than Nelson has done in 16. He is the quintessential invisible man and has continually failed to show up for Floridians in Washington when they need him most.

Governor Scott and the Florida legislature came together on SB 7026 and provided a beacon of hope for a hurting community when they needed it most and have now set a standard to which DC will be held to in November.