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While Parkland Parents Watch, Gov. Scott Signs Florida’s Landmark Gun Legislation

Gov. Rick Scott signs Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act in the Governor's office at the Florida Capital in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday March 9, 2018. Scott is flanked by the victims parents Jennifer Montalto, left, Ryan Petty, second from right.
Associated Press
Gov. Rick Scott signs Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Act in the Governor's office at the Florida Capital in Tallahassee, Fla., Thursday March 9, 2018. Scott is flanked by the victims parents Jennifer Montalto, left, Ryan Petty, second from right.

After consulting with the families of Parkland victims, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed new gun restrictions in response to last month’s massacre that killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Scott, a Republican who has long enjoyed the political support of the National Rifle Association, approved a three-day waiting period for the purchase of all firearms and raising the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 — changes the NRA opposes.

Listen here for WLRN's coverage of what's next.

The bill (SB 7026) bans the sale of bump stocks in Florida and allows police to ask judges to seize weapons from people who pose a threat to themselves or others.

The legislation barely cleared the Senate on a 20-18 vote and passed the House 67-50, as 19 Republicans abandoned their party’s leaders.

It was the first time that so many GOP lawmakers broke ranks with Speaker Richard Corcoran, in a clear sign of the divisive nature of guns as a political issue.

Scott signed the bill despite his opposition to creation of a program that allows school personnel to carry concealed weapons on campus.

Family members of all 17 Parkland victims signed a statement supporting passage of the legislation.

Read more at our news partner, the Miami Herald

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Steve Bousquet has covered state government and politics for three decades at the Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald. He was the Times' Tallahassee bureau chief from 2005 to 2018 and has also covered city and county politics in Broward County. He has a master's degree in U.S. history from Florida State.