TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - Following the tragedy in Texas, Florida lawmakers are in Tallahassee where calls for changes to gun laws are growing louder. One lawmaker raised concerns after directing what some call a direct message to President Joe Biden.
A special session has been underway for several days regarding insurance bills and a new condo bill. The agenda, however, has since been overshadowed by the devastating school shooting in Uvalde on Tuesday.
Brevard County Rep. Randy Fine on Wednesday took to Twitter following the public outrage.
7News spoke with Fine hours later. He explained what prompted his tweet.
“I was pretty disgusted at the president politicizing last night. I think you take a minute, as we did in Florida,” he said, “and you understand why the shooter did what they did — did they violate the laws as they exist today? — before you make these sort of radical, unreasonable expectations.”
The Republican lawmaker also who clarified his message.
When asked if the tweet was a threat, he said, “No, of course not. I mean, I think if you understand what I wrote, the Second Amendment was created as a response to overarching government. In fact, the Revolutionary War started in certain parts of the country because the government tried to take people’s guns away. I think they need to understand when they make statements like, ‘We’re going to come for your guns,’ that’s going to upset people.”
With flags atop the Florida Capitol at half-staff on Wednesday, House Democrats argued for lawmakers to revisit measures like universal background checks and an expansion of Red Flag laws, which would allow families to petition to have guns removed from a troubled relative if they believe they are a threat to themselves or others. Currently, only law enforcement departments or agencies are able to do that.
House Democrats also reacted to Fine’s tweet.
“What I would say in response to that is, at a time when communities are grieving, it’s the time to bring the temperatures down,” said State Rep. Fentrice Driskill, whose district encompasses the Tampa area. “I think we all have a responsibility for that.”
State Rep. Dotie Joseph, who is based out of North Miami, echoed Driskill’s comments.
“When somebody acts on the foolish things that they say, they have the nerve to throw their hands up and point to something else,” she said, “when you and your reckless words were the cause for the blood that is now on your hands.”
“When we don’t focus on the actual cost of human life, those who are no longer with us and those who continue to live through that trauma, then we have become numb to our shared humanity and the work that needs to be done,” said State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, who represents Parkland.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has promised to sign what he called a “constitutional carry bill” into law before he leaves office. It would allow residents to carry weapons without a permit. Permits are issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture, headed by Democratic gubernatorial challenger Nikki Fried.
“The official in charge of these permits doesn’t support Second Amendment rights,” said DeSantis.
Fine also weighed in on what House Democrats said.
“I’m not interested in their ideas,” he said.
The special House session wrapped up Wednesday afternoon.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.