Gov Rick Scott Introduces Gun/School Safety Plan

The $500-million, three-part plan is intended to try to prevent more mass shootings and school attacks. The plan involves gun laws, school safety and mental health.

Enhanced Gun Laws

Scott announced the creation of the “Violent Threat Restraining Order.” He wants to ban bump stocks and, with exceptions for military and law enforcement, raise the minimum age to buy a gun to 21.

Other key points include:

1. A violent or mentally ill person would be banned from purchasing or possessing a firearm or weapon when a family member, “community welfare expert” or law enforcement officer files a sworn request and presents evidence to a court of a violent threat.

2. Restrictions would be tightened on buying and possessing guns by mentally ill people under the Baker Act.

3. A person with an injunction against stalking, cyberstalking, dating violence, repeat violence, sexual violence, or domestic violence would be prohibited from possessing or buying a firearm.

Increased School safety

The governor is calling for a law enforcement officer mandatory at every public school who are sworn sheriff’s deputies or police officers, and they must be present during all hours students are on campus. He wants one law enforcement officer per 1,000 students. This must be implemented by the start of the 2018 school year.

Other initiatives:

1. Scott wants to budget $450 million for this plan.

2. Active shooter training as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security would be mandatory.

3. Funding would be increased for measures such as metal detectors, bullet-proof glass, steel doors and upgraded locks.

Better Mental health

Scott wants to allocate $50 million in additional funding for mental health initiatives such as counseling, crisis management and other critical mental health services.

Also:

1. Sheriff’s Offices will have a Department of Children and Familiies case manager embedded in their department to solely work as a crisis welfare worker for repeat cases.

2. More grants would allow sheriffs to establish special teams to coordinate with DCF case managers.

What are your thoughts?