TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the statement below criticizing the House Judiciary Committee’s passage of House Bill 245, House Bill 779 and House Bill 849. Volunteers with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action testified before the committee today in opposition to the three bills.
More information about the bills below:
- HB 245 would expand Florida’s already dangerous Stand Your Ground law by transferring the burden of proof in pre-trial hearings to the state and effectively requiring criminal defendants who raise a Stand Your Ground defense to be convicted twice.
- HB 779 would effectively legalize the open carry of handguns in Florida.
- HB 849 would allow guns into Florida’s private elementary, middle and high schools and onto private college campuses.
STATEMENT FROM MICHELLE GAJDA, VOLUNTEER CHAPTER LEADER WITH THE FLORIDA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“Today, our lawmakers chose to ignore the concerns of many Floridians and advance three dangerous gun bills that would put our public safety on the line. HB 245 would expand Florida’s already deadly Stand Your Ground law and place an enormous burden on our state’s prosecutors without allocating them additional resources. The research shows that Stand Your Ground laws do nothing to deter crime and only help create and promote a culture of “shoot first, ask questions later.”
“Additionally, supporting HB 779 and HB 849 are more steps in the wrong direction for Florida. These policies would put more guns in more places for no reason including into our private K-12 schools and colleges– further putting our children and communities at risk. I urge our lawmakers to listen to their constituents and prioritize public safety above all else.”
