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Gun Control at Florida Capitol

March 6th, 2013 by flanews

Florida Democrats unveiled legislation today to require background checks on all gun sales. The background check bill targets gun shows and personal sales. As Whitney Ray tells us, the NRA says the real intention behind universal background checks is to eliminate the second amendment.

There’s a showdown forming at the state capitol. At high noon Wednesday Florida Democrats took the first shot. A bill requiring background checks before all gun sales.

“If you want to obtain a gun in Florida you need to undergo a background check,” said Representative Lori Berman.

Sponsors of the bill say 40 percent of guns sold in the US are sold without a criminal history or mental health check. Many of the sales take place online or at gun shows.

“We need to begin this discussion and this discussion must begin today,” said Sen. Maria Sachs.

But the legislation will be a tough sell here at the state capitol where the house, senate and governor’s office are controlled by Republicans and the NRA is king.

Defending the 2nd Amendment is former NRA president and Tallahassee insider Marion Hammer.

“I think it’s just more of government intrusion into our private lives. Traditionally people have been able to sell, give and lend firearms to friends and relatives,” said Hammer.

Supporters of universal background checks say the bill is a step in the right direction.

“So this is one small step. It’s a responsible step. It is a very common sense step,” said Shelly Vana.

“This is not a first step, this is a second or third step to the ultimate goal of banning guns,” said Marion Hammer.

The bill’s sponsors admit it’s a tough sell, but say they’ve got to do something to try to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, people with mental heath problems and veterans who’ve been dishonorably discharged.

Opponents of the bill say if a criminal wants a gun they won’t go through legal channels. They’ll just buy one on the black market.

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