Senate Unanimously Approves Scott Resolution Honoring Parkland Victims

The US Senate has unanimously agreed to pass Senator Rick Scott’s (R-FL) resolution honoring the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. 

The resolution comes on the eve of the shooting and honors “the memories of the victims of the senseless attack.”

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) cosponsored the resolution. 

The infamous shooting occurred on February 12, 2018, when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz fired upon students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 

Cruz was sentenced to life in prison without parole. 

“There are few days that go by without my thoughts turning to the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School,” said Senator Scott when reacting to Cruz’s sentencing. 

Scott was serving as Florida’s Governor when the shooting took place. 

Shortly following the shooting, Governor Scott enacted new gun regulations in Florida, which included raising the minimum age to purchase rifles from 18 to 21. 

Florida Republicans have recently called for Scott’s minimum age requirement to be lowered back to 18. 

Representative Bobby Payne (R-20) recently filed a bill that would do just that. 

"Restoring the rights of young adults to purchase a long gun for not only self-defense but for sporting is very important in my rural area," said Representative Payne during a House Criminal Justice Subcommittee hearing.

Payne stressed that the bill applies only to long guns, not to assault rifles or handguns.

Florida Democrats, during a virtual ceremony marking the 6-year anniversary of the tragic attack, criticized Republican attempts to repeal portions of the Parkland gun regulations. 

“The legislation has worked, it's been a positive thing,” said Rep. Dan Daley (D-96). “And yet, you saw this Republican assault on the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act start last year and come back this year.”

As reported by the Floridian’s Liv Caputo, another gun bill, HB 17, was also seen and subsequently passed in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. 

The bill would walk back statute changes enacted after the Parkland shooting, mandating the mandatory waiting period to obtain a firearm to expire after three days.

Both gun bills passed through their respective committees in an 11-5 vote down party lines.