Few lawmakers favor overall ban

TALLAHASSEE -- Odds are slim that student survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings will achieve their legislative goal for Florida: a ban on assault weapons.

But there's a bipartisan appetite among lawmakers to limit sales of such weapons, marking the first time the state Legislature has mulled over a gun restriction in more than a decade.

Those are among the findings of a Times/Herald survey that drew responses from 65 of 156 sitting members of the House and Senate. Reporters conducted the poll through an email blast to all lawmakers the day after the shooting, as well as through interviews in person and over the phone.

Pieces of the debate surrounding gun control are still tainted by partisanship, but in other areas, the party lines have begun to melt away.

None of the 37 Republicans from Florida's House or Senate who responded to the survey said they supported a ban on assault weapons -- a deal killer in the state's GOP-controlled statehouse.

"I just think it's misguided," said Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, one of the Legislature's most active advocates for expanding gun access. He's introduced a bill that would allow teachers to carry guns. "We're obsessing over the hardware of violence, and it makes as much sense as saying we're going to stop obesity by collecting spoons."

Meanwhile, 19 Democrats who responded said assault weapons should be banned for public use. Assault weapons are typically classified as semiautomatic guns with a detachable magazine and a pistol grip, such as the AR-15, the weapon of choice for many mass killers -- including, authorities say, Nikolas Cruz in Parkland.

"Assault weapons are tools designed of kill efficiently," said Rep. Kamia Brown, D-Ocoee. "Not only are they found in nearly every case of a mass shooting, they make it easy to inflict as much pain and damage as possible."

But lawmakers agree on some measures. In fact, the survey found legislators from both parties were willing to consider "limiting access" to semiautomatic weapons or high-capacity magazines.

Nineteen legislators, including six Republicans, said the state should definitely raise the minimum age to purchase these weapons, tighten background checks, increase waiting periods or otherwise increase the barriers to getting high-powered guns. Three more Republicans said they would consider voting yes.

Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, who is the next Senate president, is drafting a proposal that would do just that.

Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, said she'd support that kind of legislation.

"Listen, I'm a big gun advocate, but at the same time, it's reasonable, sensible restrictions that need to be placed to keep this type of gun out," she said. "Look how many kids he killed in just such a short period of time."

The survey also found near-universal support for beefing up security at schools, which includes adding more armed officers on campus, barricading campuses to be single-entry only and even adding metal detectors or bullet-proof glass.

There was also widespread talk of pumping more money into the state's mental health programs, especially in schools, to help troubled kids get help before they turn to violence.

At the beginning of this session, a bill to fund mental health services and training in schools had $40 million behind it. Galvano's proposal would increase that figure to $100 million.

"I think at a minimum, we need a conversation for how we assess the ability or stability for someone to acquire a firearm," he said.

Some lawmakers responded to the survey, but declined to answer the questions or said there was nothing they could do.

"This is no time for quick thoughts," said Rep. Ross Spano, R-Dover, who is running for attorney general. "I'm not ready to offer a short answer because I want to take the time to seriously consider more comprehensive solutions. My suggestions for comprehensive solutions will be forthcoming within the next few weeks."

Others professed a sense of helplessness in the face of such tragedies.

"Solutions to the human condition are something we search for every day," said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples. "As unfortunate as it is, there's not a law we can pass that stops crazy people from doing crazy things."

Still others proposed more obscure solutions not mentioned in the survey questions, such as regulating violent video games, taxing bullets or even imposing tighter rules on antidepressant drugs.

Contact Emily L. Mahoney at emahoney@tampabay.com. Follow @mahoneysthename.

Should we ban semiautomatic rifles? Comments What action should be taken?

Sen. Bill Galvano,

R-Bradenton No "There are many law-abiding citizens that utilize them for sport. You're dealing with a constitutional provision that's steeped in federal law. There are also political realities that we have to consider." Raising the legal age of possession of an assault rifle to 21, adding a three-day waiting period for all assault rifle purchases, tightening gun background checks and expanding school safety and mental health counseling.

Sen. Tom Lee,

R-Thonotosassa Maybe? "I think everything should be on the table. … My feeling's always been if you pull the trigger and one bullet comes out, that's okay. If you pull the trigger and bullets just keep coming out, that's not okay. … I just know that time and time again we've had these conversations at the state and federal level, and some of the areas with the highest and most restrictive gun laws seem to have the most gun crimes." Noncommital: "For us to lob out a bunch of solutions off the cuff to any one thing may be politically expedient, but it often misses the mark."

Sen. Darryl Rouson,

D-St. Petersburg No "A 19-year-old, an 18-year-old, should not be able to purchase a multiple-round, multiple-magazine … weapon of mass destruction." Tighter security, fully fund mental health services for students, counseling services.

Sen. Dana Young,

R-Tampa Doesn't say. "I support Se. Galvano's strong call for immediately appropriating $100 million toward mental health assessment, treatment and school hardening." Immediate hardening of schools across the state should be our No. 1 priority.

Rep. Larry Ahern,

R-Seminole No "We need to secure our school properties. Many have already taken the necessary steps to control access on their own, while others have not even assessed the levels of threats. Secure school properties.

Rep. Janet Cruz,

D-Tampa Doesn't say. "It starts with passing rules that will keep guns out of the hands of bad actors who should not be able to access deadly weapons." Ban bump stocks and high-capacity magazines. Ban people on a terrorist watch list or belonging to hate groups from buying automatic weapons. Increase funding for mental health resources.

Rep. Ben Diamond,

D-St. Petersburg Yes "Florida should absolutely adopt bans on automatic and high-capacity magazines immediately." Hire an armed, trained resource officer for every 1,000 students in every public school in Florida.

Rep. Jamie Grant,

R-Tampa No The problem is not the tool. The problem is the carpenter. These are evil people. They will find ways to inflict their harm." Eliminate gun-free zones.

Shawn Harrison,

R-Tampa No "I wouldn't be in favor of any sort of restriction on semiautomatic weapons. Semiautomatic weapons come in 22 rifles that are used for target practice. But any sort of mechanism that can convert semiautomatic into an automatic should be illegal. … Things like bump stocks should be totally outlawed." Make schools more secure.

Rep. Chris Latvala,

R-Clearwater No. "I don't want to keep other people from owning a gun if they meet the requirements and pass the background checks and so forth." Mental health screenings for gun owners. Designate someone at each school with a concealed weapon.

Rep. Amber Mariano,

R-Hudson No "Banning AR-15s is not going to solve the root of this problem. A criminal, by definition, is someone who breaks the law." Armed officers and mental health counselors at school.

Rep. Ralph Massullo,

R-Lecanto No "We often hear calls for 'gun control' that may seem appropriate; however, the problem is more complicated and requires a more multicentric approach if we are going to improve the safety of our citizens." Reduce or eliminate gun-free zones. More resources for mental health. More school security.

Rep. Kathleen Peters,

R-Treasure Island No "I would have to look at assault weapons in the hands of children. I don't see it as being a weapon for hunting. It's not a sport, in my opinion." A coordinated system of mental health care.

Rep. Sean Shaw,

D-Tampa Yes "I'm honestly ashamed of how this Legislature has approached this issue. Rather than working to keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not have access to them, every single year the only policies that are debated are those that bring more guns into our communities. This is absurd." More funding for school security and counseling.

Rep. Ross Spano,

R-Dover No "In light of Wednesday's shooting, I'm struck by all of the demands for immediate feedback. This is no time for quick thoughts. We need to take the time to seriously consider a number of options." Says his suggestions will be "forthcoming within the next few weeks."

Rep. Chris Sprowls,

R-Palm Harbor No "We must invest more in strengthening our schools and protecting our students by providing the necessary funding for school safety and identifying, and treating, troubled youth affected by mental health issues." More school security and treating young people for mental health issues.

Did not respond Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg; Sen. WIlton Simpson, R-Trilby; Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrills; House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes; Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill; Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Plant City; Rep. Wengay Newton, R-St. Petersburg; Rep. Jack Raburn, R-Lithia; Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora; Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa