An amendment to a Florida gun bill that would have banned assault weapons like the one used in the Parkland school shooting has failed.
Lawmakers in Tallahassee are currently discussing sweeping changes to the state's gun laws.
Last Wednesday, students traveled to Tallahassee in support of a ban on semiautomatic guns and large capacity magazines, but Florida House members voted down a motion to consider the issue.
In response to the shooting, Gov. Rick Scott has proposed a number of changes to the state's gun laws:
- Raising the age to buy an AR-15 rifle from 18 to 21
- Strengthening background checks to keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill people
- Banning bump stocks (a piece of equipment that enables a semi-automatic rifle to fire faster)
Scott, a Republican, does not support a ban on semiautomatic guns. However, many of Scott's proposed changes are opposed by the National Rifle Association, a longtime political ally.
After the amendment failed, a crowd of people in the gallery of the Florida State Capitol yelled "shame" and "vote them out."
The group included about 60 parents from Stoneman Douglas who traveled to Tallahassee for the debate.