Moms Demand Action Responds to Sen. Galvano’s Broken Promises on Gun Safety
2.28.2020
The Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement after Sen. Bill Galvano said the Florida Senate would not take up SB 7028, a bill that would strengthen background checks, before the end of the 2020 legislative session:
“When our country was devastated by the shootings in El Paso, Dayton and West Texas, Senator Galvano pledged to take meaningful action on gun safety,” said Gaby Padrón-Loewenstein, volunteer leader with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action. “In the six months since then, a bipartisan background checks bill has collected dust in the Florida Senate. Senator Galvano’s failure to keep his word is not only disappointing, it’s dangerous for our families and communities.”
Yesterday, a shooting that killed five people in Milwaukee proved yet again the need for common-sense gun laws. Meanwhile, stakeholders across the state have voiced support for stronger background checks:
- More than 15 mayors from across the state sent a letter to the legislature in support of stronger background checks, including the mayors of Tampa, Parkland, Tallahassee and Orlando.
- Last month, 400 volunteers with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action traveled to Tallahassee from across the state to urge lawmakers to support SB 7028.
- The bill is also supported by the Florida PTA.
- The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Tampa Bay Times have editorialized in favor of the bill.
- In November, more than 80 survivors of gun violence sent a letter to the Florida legislature advocating for stronger background checks.
Instead of strengthening background checks, the Florida legislature has pushed legislation that would allow guns in schools on religious property, a risky bill that doesn’t keep children safer in school but instead increases the likelihood that a gun will fall into the wrong hands or unintentionally discharge on school grounds.
If you’d like to talk to a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Florida about the legislature’s failure to move SB 7028 forward, please reach out.