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Calls for gun purchase background checks were up 77 percent on Saturday over a a year ago.As Mike Vasilinda tells us, Sunday calls were nearly double what they were on the first Sunday in December last year.

Nearly 20 thousand background checks have been run on Florida gun purchasers since the Wednesday shooting in California. During the same four day weekend last December, there were only 11 thousand checks run. This indoor shooting range and gun shop saw a steady increase in sales at the end of the week. Brian Richardson is a Marine veteran and Tactical Trainer at the range.

“ We’ve been, A lot of people were very concerned about what happened in San Bernardino and we saw a large number of people come in to take three concealed weapons permit class this weekend” says the Marine vet.

Background checks which normally take ten minutes or less, were running up to two hours.

On an average weekend, this shooting range will have ten to twelve people show up on a Saturday for a concealed weapons class. This past weekend, twice that many showed up.

One Florida Sheriff has even taken to Facebook saying its time to say what needs to be said as he urges people to learn how to use a gun as their first line of defense. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey posted the video late Sunday.

“If you are a person who is legally licensed to carry a firearm, now is the time more than ever to realize that you and you alone may be the first line of defense for you, your family, and others around you in a terrorist or active shooter based scenario” Ivey cautions viewers from the small screen.

The video has been seen more than 50 thousand times since being posted Sunday night. Marion Hammer of the Unified Sportsmen of Florida says the video points out practical solutions. “He says clearly that law enforcement can get their in minutes, but you can lose your life in seconds” says Hammer.

And since Wednesday’s shootings that claimed 14 lives, it has become clear that more people are looking to protect themselves than every before.

The NRA says there is no telling if lives would have been saved if the San Bernardino Christmas party had not been a gun free zone.

For the past few years, Christmas time in Florida’s capitol has been a little divisive when it comes to Holiday displays. As Matt Galka tells us, flare ups in the past have caused one group to cancel their nativity scene at the state house.

Outside of Florida’s Capitol on Monday – a wreath laying ceremony for Veterans. A reminder of service and sacrifice during the holidays, but inside, no signs of the holiday season.

There are no holiday displays in the capitol rotunda yet and only a couple of applications. In years past there’s been a traditional nativity scene, which spawned everything from a Seinfeld inspired “festivus pole” display to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

The Florida Prayer Network says the divisiveness, including a Satanic Temple diorama, is the reason they won’t be putting up their nativity scene this year.

The Satanic Temple display will also not be going up.  When it was put in the rotunda last year, self-proclaimed Catholic Warrior Susan Hemeryck tried to destroy it. This is what she said then:

“When Satan comes into the halls of my town I can’t let that go without a fight, I hope nobody can let that go without a fight.”

She faced charges before they were dropped. When reached by phone, Hemeryck said that not putting up a nativity is giving in to the other groups.

“You don’t back down to bullies. Isis are terrorists, and Hitler was a terrorist, and the Satanists are spiritual terrorists. And it’s never a good idea to back down to bullies,” said Hemeryck.

There are only two applications for displays as of Monday.  The festivus pole – this time with an LGBT twist – and a menorah.

The Florida Cabinet will be presented with Florida Grown Christmas trees Tuesday morning before the cabinet meeting.

For some of us, trying to keep up with quickly changing technology can feel like learning a foreign language. Well as Matt Galka tells us, lawmakers now want to give Florida high schoolers the option of learning computer code for credit.

Computers, tablets, and phones have been the way of the world for a while. Sometimes it’s tough to keep up with all of the changing tech. But one Florida lawmaker wants to give Florida high schoolers a head start.

Broward Democrat and former Yahoo executive Jeremy Ring proposed a plan that would require high schools to offer computer coding classes as a foreign language credit.

“This is cultural, this may be a new culture, but it’s cultural, anyone in this world who has children knows this is cultural, and it’s more cultural than a lot of what we do today,” said Sen. Ring (D-Margate).

Andrew Ladnowski said the course could help people like his son Jeremy, because his son has a speech disorder.

“He can type at 65 words per minute with 98 percent accuracy. When he’s online, he has no disability,” said Ladnowski.

The proposal cleared its first committee but not without some hesitation. Senator Nancy Detert is worried about funding

“I’m concerned that we’re going to take an approach that’s very forward thinking and then it’s going to fail under implementation,” said Sen. Detert (R-Venice).

And teacher Dwight Bullard isn’t sure schools are ready.

“If a school has a computer lab or a series of computer labs that, over the course of the last few months of the school year has to be used for testing, now you’re talking about a class that is soley computer based and not having access to those computers,” said Sen. Bullard (D-Cutler Bay).

Schools would have until 2017 to figure out how to implement the courses if the bill passes.

Bill supporters say coding jobs – like developing websites or smart phone apps, could potentially land someone a highpaying job right out of college. The median salary for a Computer Programmer according to U.S. News and World Report – just over $76,000 dollars.

State lawmakers may soon force local city elections to the fall ballot under legislation approved by a committee in the state capitol this week. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, most cities are fighting the change.

151 Florida cities hold their elections in November…the other 260 vote in the spring.

Now legislation spearheaded by State Representative Matt Caldwell would force all cities to move elections to the fall.

“The fact is cities are the only unit of government that don’t participate in the November ballot right now. Everybody else does” says the Lee County Representative.

The League of Cities is fighting back. Local officials fear they’ll get lost in the shuffle of a November election and get ignored by the local media. David Cruz is the Deputy General Counsel for the Florida League of Cities.

“So then the balancing act is, do you have a well informed voter going into a spring election knowing exactly who is running for mayor and city commission and knowing all the city questions. Or do you have a higher voter turnout in November and not having well informed voters on the city questions” says Cruz.

Voters here in the State Capitol waged an eight year battle to move their elections to fall. It took a petition drive, then a court suit but by the time it was done, 89 percent said yes.

The turnout in that first fall election was more than double the turnout of the election that  changed the date.

Secretary of State Ken Detzner is officially neutral on the change…but.

“We want to bring more opportunity for people to vote and make it easier for them to vote, and I think this legislation would do that. But, there are a lot of local governments that don’t feel that same way, but I feel it’s very worthwhile to have this conversation” says Detzner.

Cities currently pay to use election equipment in the spring. In the fall, it would be virtually free.

The legislation does give cities an option. If every city in a county can agree on the same date, they are free to hold an election whenever they want. Critics say  getting multiple cities in large counties to all agree would be virtually impossible.

Many are still trying to make sense of the attacks in San Bernardino, California Wednesday that killed 14. As Matt Galka tells us, at least some lawmakers say the high profile mass shooting incidents are on their minds when they consider gun legislation here in the state.

A day after a mass shooting in California, Florida lawmakers considered changes to strengthen the state’s Stand Your Ground law – a law that lets Floridians claim self defense during deadly shootings.

“This bill is about restoring constitutional rights to citizens who act in lawful self defense,” said NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer.

Gun legislation is nothing new for Florida.  Multiple bills have already moved through the legislature heading into 2016’s legislative session. But as national outcry has been laser focused on guns in the wake of multiple shootings, bill sponsor Rob Bradley says legislators have to be mindful of the people in this state.

“I’ve always taken the position that you don’t legislate based on one case, so while these are awful, tragic events, we are trying to create laws that are just,” said Sen. Bradley (R-Fleming Island).

Democrats say that as long as gun friendly proposals are put out there, more tragedies will occur. House Deomcratic leader Mark Pafford says that he doesn’t see America’s latest mass shooting slowing any gun momentum in the Capitol.

“The people who have been elected to hopefully prevent that type of tragedy continue to do nothing. And sadly there’s going to be Floridian’s blood on people’s hands,” said Rep. Pafford.

Along with the stand your ground changes there are two other high profile pieces of gun legislation in the chamber – a bill that would allow concealed carry on college campuses and a separate bill that would allow open carry of guns throughout Florida.

Concealed carry on college campuses has stalled in previous years but is set for a full vote from the Florida House after legislative session begins in January.

In 2012 Florida became the second state to pass legislation allowing self driving vehicles. In the three years since, technology has leap frogged, and Florida is on the cutting edge of what could new research and development opportunities because, as Mike Vasilinda tells us, we are the second state to pass laws allowing autonomous vehicles.

Engineers nicknamed this car Jack. It’s an Audi A-7 that starts at just under 70 grand. That’s before you load the trunk with computers and equip it with laser sensors from top to bottom. Jack took us for a spin with engineer Thomas Mueller.

“Our goal is to reduce ninety percent of the accidents human being produce. To get rid of that accidents is a tough task” Mueller told us while his gestured with his hands that weren’t on the wheel.

Jack is an autonomous vehicle…not a driverless car.

“People still need to keep an eye on the road. People still need to monitor the system.”

That’s an important distinction.

Q:”This is pretty amazing?”

A:”It is. It is  Amazing.”

And Jack won’t speed says Mueller as he adds you probably wouldn’t want to anyway.

“It’s not about speeding in the end. It’s about driving comfortably. Comfortable. It’s about finding way to to relax in the car.”

Jack is in the state Capitol to thank lawmakers for being among the first to allow cars like Jack on the highway says the Audi engineer.

“they are very open to innovation. They are supporting us in the discussions that we also need for legal framing of that technology.”

Sponsor Jeff Brandes says the states early adoption could soon be an economic boom.

“There’s going to be new jobs that haven’t even been titled yet that are coming to Florida” says the St. Petersburg State Senator.

This concept car is likely to be for some sometime after 2020. Cost remains a big question.

Audi plans to market a car that is less sophisticated than Jack in 2017.

Technology has advanced so far since Jack, the concept car was built, that the trunk load of electronics has already shrunk to a board about the size of an tablet computer.

Jack, an Audi A7 Sports car drove from Jacksonville to the State Capitol on Wednesday with a driver behind the wheel, but not in control. the car drove itself. It is equipped with a truck full of computers and more than 20 sensors that read the road and other traffic. State Senator Jeff Brandes originally sponsored legislation that allows autonomous cars on the road.

“Today, you go to the dealer and buy a car. I think tomorrow, you might buy a mile from a tech firm. And the cost of insurance, and the cost of fuel and all those costs will be encapsulated in that mile you purchased from Apple and their car” says Brandes.

Brandes expects Florida to reap high tech jobs because it was one of they first states to begin regulating autonomous cars.

Voters are almost certain to see a ballot initiative legalizing medical marijuana when they go to the pools next November, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the same coalition that defeated pot in 2014 is alive and active again.

Medical Marijuana supporters are slightly more than half way to meeting their petition goal to be back on the ballot. The Amendment is getting a free pass at the State Supreme Court, where no one challenged its wording. Calvina Fay from Drug Free American says a challenge just wasn’t feasible.
“To challenge the language that was challenged last year didn’t make sense, and its the same justices” says Fay.

The coalition that fought and kept medical marijuana from being adopted in 2014 is at it again. they’ve already got four billboards like this one in the state Capitol.

The billboards ask: “Would you vote for more marijuana impaired drivers on our roadways?”

Steve Casey, Executive Director of the FL Sheriffs Association says “Innocent Floridians become victims when an impaired driver gets behind the wheel.”

The billboards are for December’s designation as national impaired driving prevention month.  But we asked Calvina Fay if they were the beginning of a campaign to fight medical marijuana.

“We’re not the political campaign, so we are not the people saying vote no. We will continue to do what we have done all along to tell people that marijuana is a dangerous drug” she responded.

Tracie Biggins came to the Capitol to talk about the loss of her ten year old son in a tragic crash fueled by synthetic drugs.

“I’m hoping that by speaking out, I can encourage others to not do it. That’s our goal” she told us.

So, while it is almost certain that voters will see a medical marijuana amendment on next year’s ballot, the impaired driving effort a year before, makes it clear pot won’t be getting a free pass next November.

People United for Medical Marijuana has certified just under 375 thousand signatures.

They need another 308 thousand before February to be on the November ballot. As for the Supreme Court challenge, marijuana opponents were advised to save their money for the political campaign next fall.

Local governments won’t be able to stop fracking for natural gas under legislation approved by a House Committee in the State Capitol today. the measure was opposed by cities and counties, but sponsor Ray Rodrigues of Ft. Myers says drilling is safe and local governments should be able to put up roadblocks.

“Two municipalities have interjected themselves into the permitting process. This bill is clarifying there is no implied preemption. we’re going to make that express so that you know oil and gas regulation resides with he state” says Rodrigues.

In additional to local government opposition. Most environmental groups, are against Fracking  Dave Cullen of the Sierra club says there are two reasons not to allow fracking. the first is that Florida shouldn’t be looking to fossil fuel for the future.

“The other is the potential for the contamination of the water we depend on. And it’s not only for our drinking, but our clean water supports so much of our economy. Our tourism, our commercial and recreation fishing, All of those things need clean water” says Cullen.

The committee approved the measure on a 9 to 3 vote along party lines with all three Democrats voting no.

A legislative committee today approved a requirement that all rape kits be submitted for testing within thirty days of the evidence being collected or on the victim or victim advocate asking the kit be tested. State Rep. Janet Adkins cited a Detroit study that tested about a fourth of the cities untested rape kits and got astounding results.

“When you look at the numbers from Detroit there were 8,700 kits that have not been tested. They took about 2,000 of those kits, tested them, they identified 188 serial predators. When you stop and think about that, 188 serial predators who now have been identified in Detroit, that’s appalling. We can not only ensure justice for these victims, but believe we can prevent future crimes” says Adkins
The legislation also requires all of Florida’s nearly eleven thousand rape kits to be tested by mid 2017.

A four month investigation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in Florida has concluded the Women’s Health organization sold no fetal tissue and broke no laws. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, FDLE says it left no stone unturned.

The Florida Department of Law enforcement says it’s exhaustive investigation found no evidence Planned Parenthood broke any law prohibiting the sale off fetal tissue.

Molly Best, Department of Law Enforcement Spokesperson, says the investigation is closed. “We did 233 man hours were spent on this investigation, so we did look at it very thoroughly. We took the concerns to heart. we wanted to make sure that we addressed them, and we wanted to make sure if there was any criminal wrongdoing, we addressed it” says Best.

Planned Parenthood of Florida spokesman Damien Filier has said from the beginning that they haven’t broken the law.

“This program is one that we don’t even participate in in Florida, so for us, we knew from the beginning what the results would be” says Filer.

The FDLE investigation was one of three that were conducted. Governor Rick Scott had previously asked the Dept of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration to inspect clinics. Four minor administrative violations were sited.

Judiciary Chairman Charles McBurney of Jacksonville requested the investigation. He says he ’s pleased with the outcome.

“I believe there was a reasonable suspicion, based on  those tapes, but I’m..at the end of the day, I’m pleased that they didn’t find anything” says McBurney.

State Senator Eleanor Sobel, who has spoken out against abortion restrictions at every turn says she isn’t surprised by the investigations outcome. “This is a witchhuzd against women” says Sobel, not mincing words.

Simultaneously with the letter closing the investigation, the Florida Family Policy Council called off an anti Planned Parenthood rally planned for next week.

The Florida Family Policy Council cited the clinic shootings in postponing its anti Planned Parenthood rally. The state provides no money to Planned Parenthood and hasn’t for more than a decade.

A State Senate Committee has approved legislation ending a civil war policy of making it a crime for two unmarried adults to live together. While enforcement has been rare, the law had the potential for being used to discriminate against parents not paying child support or other reasons. Sponsor Eleanor Sobel says the laws demise is long overdue.

“I think about the Villages where a lot of people are shacking up. There’s a lot of people living together and the bill, the law is ancient. It occurred around the time of the Civil War.  And, Um, it’s time we repealed this law that could lead to court hearing, misdemeanors, and people brought into court for just living together.” says Sobel, who represents Hollywood in Broward County.

Similar legislation has already cleared a House Committee.

After hearing criticism from lawmakers, Governor Rick Scott made a rare appearance before the House Finance and Tax Committee to pitch his billion dollar tax cut this afternoon. He was hit with questions asking why he is allowing homeowners property taxes to rise with increasing values to fund schools instead of reducing corporate tax cuts or using state savings. Scott says it is to diversity the economy.

“if you look at what we’re doing with regard to property taxes, we’re not increasing the mileage rate….we’re not increasing the milage rate. It’s positive when the values of peoples homes go up. It’s way better when the four years before I got elected, home prices dropped almost fifty percent” Scott told reporters.

The billion dollar tax cut package, which other than reducing sales taxes on college text books and providing for a Back to School tax free holiday goes almost exclusively to businesses.

Many know the dangers of texting behind the wheel but in Florida, there’s nothing stopping you from doing it if you’re following every other traffic law. As Matt Galka tells us, a new push to crack down on the crime now has some Republicans taking the wheel on the issue.

A texting while driving simulator was on full display in Florida’s capitol Tuesday trying to drive home the point about the potential fatal consequences of messaging or emailing behind the wheel.

Lawmakers renewed a push to make texting while driving a primary offense in the state.  It’s only a secondary offense now, which means a cop can watch you text behind the wheel but can’t pull you over.

Patricia Viccaro lost her son when he was hit by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. She’s pleading for stiffer penalties.

“My son’s life is worth more than a $30 dollar fine. Having this law as a secondary offense is not supporting our law enforcement to do their job. They can see someone on their phones without having any legal right to stop them,” she said.

Making texting while driving a primary offense has been led by Democrats in the past but Republicans have the bill in both the House and Senate.

Representative Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) said he almost didn’t take the bill.

“We all do it, and I text and drive. I do it rarely but I find myself doing that. It was a debate for me whether or not I wanted to take the bill on,” he said.

But he’s hopeful it can pass with Republican backing.

“It’s so important and if I get a ticket, then I get a ticket, I need one and I deserve one,” said Rep. Perry.

Only 1800 citations were given out last year in Florida for texting while driving as a secondary offense.

The bill has been filed in both the House and Senate but has yet to be scheduled for a hearing. Only five states, including Florida, list texting while driving as a secondary offense.

Florida’s love affair with guns remains strong, with Black Friday sales setting a record for the weekend. Black Friday is seen as the kickoff for what has become a gun buying season and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, 2015 is no exception.

The number of people seeking background checks for gun purchases this past weekend hit an all time high for Black Friday Weekend. Friday through Sunday saw almost 15 thousand people buying guns pending that background check. This weekends number is nearly two thousand more than 2013, which set a yearly record for gun purchases.

Miles Glass, the manager of Kevin’s Guns, a Tallahassee Sporting Goods store sees no sign of a gun love affair abating.

“Business has stayed strong. I would say our gun sales are probably up a little bit above last year” says Glass.

We watched as Todd purchased a handgun and ammo for several other guns. He declined to give his last name but told us he is retired law enforcement.

“I’ve owned guns for years.  But if  you are asking if there is an alternative reason, of course there is. Just like everybody else is scared” he told us.

Now, the numbers we’re talking about reflect background checks only…not the number of guns sold. Put another way, someone could pass a background check and take home two or three guns.”

The weekend saw a mix of gun buyers. Many already have concealed carry permits and could take their guns with them. Others are waiting three days.

“We get a lot of first time buyers” says manager Glass.  “Absolutely. Especially in this day and age there is a lot of new buyers and new people getting into guns, certainly. A lot of that is going to be for home defense and personal defense.”

While Black Friday weekend is typically the busiest gun buying weekend of the year,  December’s typically outpaces every other month in gun sales.

Based on background check information provided by the state, December gun sales typically run twenty to fifty percent higher than other months.