SB 462/HB 579 take action towards ending gun violence
Orlando, FL— Senator Lori Berman (D-Delray Beach) and Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) have filed SB 462 / HB 579, legislation that would ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in Florida.
Just days after another mass shooting killed 11 in Monterey Park, this legislation lists assault-rifle models that would be banned if passed in an effort to curb increasing instances of gun violence. In 2022, death rates from firearms rose more than in the 30 years prior, from a supermarket in Buffalo, to a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs, Independence Day in Highland Park, and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas where 58 magazines and 1,657 total rounds of ammunition were found at the crime scene.
“Every day, hundreds of thousands of moms and dads, students, parishioners, and Floridians go about their day wondering if they could be the next victims of gun violence. Instead of responding to America’s epidemic of bloodshed with sensible gun safety reforms, the Florida GOP wants more guns – in our classrooms and in the hands of untrained individuals,” said Senator Berman. “They’re going in the entirely wrong direction. The federal ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines that lasted from 1994-2004 reduced fatalities from mass shootings by 70 percent. It was a success. We need to prioritize human life over the gun lobby, and we need to pass a state-level ban.”
Cited in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, it is reported that of all mass shootings incidents between 2009 and 2018, assault weapons were responsible for 25% of the deaths and 76% of non-fatal injuries. Further, they cited that researchers estimate that if we still had an Assault Weapons Ban (H.R.1808), we would have 70 percent less mass shooting deaths.
The list of banned weapons in SB 462/HB 579 includes the weapon used in the tragic shooting at Pulse Nightclub, located in Orlando, Representative Anna V. Eskamani’s district. The shooting was one of the worst in modern U.S history when 49 people were killed, the majority of whom were LGBTQ+ and young people of color.
“I am proud to call Orlando home and every day, I am committed to honoring those we’ve lost through action. The reality is, the majority of Floridians believe in these basic restrictions if it means keeping our kids, our friends, and our communities safe. This isn’t a partisan culture war, it’s a public health emergency and if we don’t pass this legislation, more lives in Florida will be lost.” Eskamani said.
Patricia Brigham, President of Prevent Gun Violence Florida cited her renewed support for this overdue measure. “At a time when gun violence is increasing and mass shootings are on the rise, our state cannot afford to stay silent on the need for a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines. We are grateful that Representative Eskamani and Senator Berman are taking on this important fight, no matter the odds.”
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