Florida Governor Signs Gun Bill, NRA Sues

3-12-18-ERNIE ALLEN’S-TOP STORY-

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Weeks after their children were gunned down in the worst high school shooting since Columbine, parents of the victims stood in the Florida Capitol and watched Gov. Rick Scott sign a far-reaching bill that places new restrictions on guns.

Hours later, the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit to block it.

The new law capped an extraordinary three weeks of lobbying after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, with student survivors and grieving families working to persuade a Republican-run state government that had shunned gun control measures.

Surrounded by family members of the 17 people killed in the Valentine’s Day shooting, the GOP governor said the bill balances “our individual rights with need for public safety.”

“It’s an example to the entire country that government can and has moved fast,” said Scott, whose state has been ruled for 20 years by gun-friendly Republican lawmakers.

Tony Montalto, whose daughter Gina was killed in the shooting, read a statement from victims’ families: “When it comes to preventing future acts of horrific school violence, this is the beginning of the journey. We have paid a terrible price for this progress.”

The bill fell short of achieving the ban on assault-style weapons sought by survivors. The gunman who opened fire at the school used such a weapon, an AR-15 rifle.

Nevertheless, the bill raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21, extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire. It also creates a so-called guardian program enabling some teachers and other school employees to carry guns.

The NRA insisted that the measure “punishes law-abiding gun owners for the criminal acts of a deranged individual.”

The Parkland gunman “gave repeated warning signs that were ignored by federal and state officials. If we want to prevent future atrocities, we must look for solutions that keep guns out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others, while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans,” Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement.

By BRENDAN FARRINGTON and GARY FINEOUT, Associated Press

Blogs

SZA TIES WITH MICHAEL JACKSON

SZA TIES WITH MICHAEL JACKSON

SZA is feeling speechless after her album SOS managed to tie Michael Jackson’s classic Thriller. The two artists are officially tied at 79 total non-consecutive weeks spent in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. According to Luminate, that’s the most for a Black artist. TMZ Hip-Hop caught up with SZA after her appearance on…

ANGIE STONE’S SALES SOAR!

ANGIE STONE’S SALES SOAR!

Angie Stone’s catalog received a hefty boost following her recent death. Billboard reports that Stone’s streams have increased by 1,300 percent to 8.4 million. Stone’s sales have risen by 10,700 percent. Her 1999 hit “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” got the biggest bump in listens. Stone died in a car accident in Alabama on…

AMBER ROSE NOT INVITED TO THE ‘FREAK OFF’?

AMBER ROSE NOT INVITED TO THE ‘FREAK OFF’?

Amber Rose has a big question about Diddy’s infamous “freak off” parties — where’s her invite? In a new Club Shay Shay interview, the taboo topic came up, when she told Shannon Sharpe, “I’ve been to every Puff party. I’ve been to every White Party since 2009. I’ve been to every party… If these freak…

TUPAC’S ACCUSED KILLER CLAIMS INNOCENCE

TUPAC’S ACCUSED KILLER CLAIMS INNOCENCE

The man accused of killing Tupac Shakur in 1996 is maintaining his innocence. Duane “Keffe D” Davis is currently in a Las Vegas jail awaiting trial for his alleged crime. He spoke to a local television station about his case. Davis said, “I did not do it. They don’t have nothing. And they know they…