Governor Rick Scott had not confirmed whether or not he would be signing SB 7026, which included a measure he did not agree with. However, Governor Scott has signed the bill into law today. And, surrounded by family members of some of the students lost in the Parkland shooting a month ago, he justified why he made the decision of going forward with the bill.
Gov. Rick Scott Signs Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act; Invests More Than $400 Million in School Safety and Mental Health: https://t.co/6TxoA3RwIo
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) March 9, 2018
"The hardest thing I've ever had to do as governor is try to find the words to console a parent who has lost their child," he explained. "There are just no words."
The bill completely bans the sale of bump stocks, it raises the purchasing age of firearms from 18 to 21 and it also called for allowing some teachers to be armed if the local sheriff's department and school district agree.
This is something Governor Scott was entirely against. Though he signed the bill, he explained that he still believes "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."
"To the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, you made your voices heard," Governor Scott mentioned. "You didn't let up and you fought until there was change."
