All,
URGENT--Please spread the word to contact your individual Senators and Representatives in the FL Legislature BEFORE FRIDAY and ask them to vote "yes" on the Democratic request for a Special Session devoted to reducing gun violence. In the wake of the senseless mass murders we have recently experienced in Buffalo, Uvalde, and elsewhere, the legislative goal of the Special Session would be simple and common sense:
• Regulate high-capacity rifle magazines to limit the killing capacity of the most favored weapons used in mass shooting events,
• Mandate universal background checks on all firearms sales to keep guns out of the hands of those who should not have them, and
• Expand Florida's successful Red Flag law, passed with bipartisan support after the MSD shooting.
Unfortunately, not one Republican has agreed to the request, and three-fifths of each chamber must vote “yes” by Friday at 3 pm ET to schedule the session unless the Governor requests one. This is unlikely since he is interested in passing bills like the permitless carry legislation that would only put more people at risk of gun violence. The optics are not good for him at this time, but you can bet that he and the Republican legislature are waiting for the uproar to die down and then they will try to pass such a bill during the Regular Session in 2023.
In the meantime, it is up to us to let our legislators know that we want laws to reduce gun violence as soon as possible. Tell them to VOTE YES by 3 pm Friday on the Special Session request.
Thank you,
Jean Siebenaler
LEGISLATIVE CHAIR, DEMOCRATIC WOMEN'S CLUB OF FLORIDA
CITRUS:
Tallahassee #: (850) 717-5034
District #: (352) 527-4510
Tallahassee #: (850) 487-5010
District #: (352) 688-5077