Florida legislators vote down attempt to revive bill to ban assault rifles

Associated Press
4:07 PM, Feb 20, 2018
5:10 AM, Feb 21, 2018

Days after 17 people were killed in a Florida high school shooting, the state's House overwhelmingly voted not to ban assault weapons, effectively halting the measure this session.   Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were in the gallery when lawmakers voted 36-71 against a motion to consider banning assault weapons and large capacity magazines.  Police say the 19-year-old arrested in connection with the shooting used an AR-15 rifle. The news comes as  President Donald Trump announced  he directed Attorney General Jeff Sessions to ban "all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns." That would include bump stocks, which make it easier to fire rounds more quickly.  Additional reporting from  Newsy affiliate CNN Trending stories at Newsy.com Sarah Sanders Takes Questions On Russia Charges, Florida Shooting Hawaii Isn't Ready For A Real Missile Threat, Says State Report How President Trump's Health Proposal Differs From Obamacare

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PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) --   Less than a week after 17 people were fatally shot at a Florida high school, the state House has voted down a motion to take up a bill that would ban assault rifles, effectively killing the measure for this session.

FULL COVERAGE: Parkland school shooting

The motion failed by a 36-71 vote.

As the Florida House opened its session Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Kionne McGhee asked for a procedural move that would have allowed it to consider a bill to ban assault rifles and large capacity magazines. The bill had been assigned to three committees but was not scheduled for a hearing. The committees won't meet again before the legislative session ends March 9.

McGhee said that means the bill would be dead unless the House voted to remove it from the committees and let it be considered by the full House.

Republican leaders in the House and Senate say they will consider proposals including raising age restrictions for gun purchases and the red-flag bill regarding temporarily taking away someone's guns if they are deemed a threat to others.

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