FL Democratic Progressive Caucus statement on Ft. Lauderdale mass shooting: Enough Already

January 6, 2017 · by · in Gun control · 1 Comment
screen-shot-2017-01-06-at-7-51-24-pmOnce again Florida has suffered a mass shooting. This time it happened in one of the busiest airports in the United States, Fort Lauderdale International. According to reports the shooter, Esteban Santiago, had checked his gun in a bag and upon retrieving his luggage, went to a bathroom and emerged with a loaded 9mm. He emptied it and then waited to be arrested. He killed five people and eight others remain injured.

Embarrassingly, at this hour, Joy Reid is leading MSNBC’s news with the Russian intelligence report which tells us nothing new about the election, does nothing for Democrats, and does a great disservice to anyone horrified by yet another mass shooting. Progressives must do better. We must do better.

There’s so much confusion and mystery surrounding this tragedy. CBS News is reporting that as recently as November, Santiago had been under Army Investigation for psychological problems. So, why was he allowed to fly with a firearm?
Given all this, can you believe Republicans in Tallahassee are preparing FOUR BILLS that will make it easier for you and your family to be the next victims of a shooting in Florida
Susan Smith, President of the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida isn’t having it, and neither should you. Light up some phones, people.

How long will we allow Republican legislators to put the profits of the gun industry ahead of our safety? For every one of us who calls a legislator’s office against horrible gun bills, the gun lobby gets five people to call in support. We have to do better.

According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, an average of 90 people die every day in the United States at the end of a gun.

Enough already.

To date, there are four bad gun bills that have been introduced in the Florida Legislature: Senate Bill 140, House Bill 6001, House Bill 6005 and SB 128.

Please call–

Senator Greg Steube (R), sponsor of SB 140 (comprehensive bill to expand open and concealed carry, including on college campuses and in airports), and ask him to withdraw his bill. Sen. Steube is also Chair of the Judiciary Committee, which will hear the bill first. (941) 342-9162

State Representative Jake Raburn (R), sponsor of HB 6001 (expands open and concealed carry in airports), and ask him to withdraw his bill. (813) 653-7097

State Representative Scott Plakon (R), sponsor of HB 6005 (expands open and concealed carry on college campuses), and ask him to withdraw his bill. (407) 262-7423

Senator Rob Bradley, sponsor of SB 128 (shifts burden of proof to make it easier to claim Stand Your Ground), and ask him to withdraw his bill. (904) 278-2085

Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee listed below. Ask them to vote NO on SB 140.

Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) (239) 338-2570
Senator Randolph Bracy (D) (407) 656-6716
Senator Anitere Flores (R) (305) 270-6550
Senator Rene Garcia (R) (305) 364-3100
Senator Audrey Gibson (D) (904) 359-2553
Senator Debbie Mayfield (R) (321) 409-2025
Senator Bobby Powell (D) (561) 650-6880 
Senator Perry E. Thurston, Jr. (D) (954) 321-2705

When you call these legislators, please describe your fear for your child, your husband, yourself. Tell them these bills put us all at risk. Make it personal. Leave a message if there’s no answer.

12 calls will take 24 minutes.

Enough already.

Thank you,

Susan Smith
DPCF President
@stsmith222
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One comment

  1. grandma3x · ·

    So let me get this straight. First paragraph…”for every call you make to a legislator against, the gun lobby has 5 calls to that legislator in support”. And that’s gotten us where? This rhetoric is a load of crap. Outrage alone has no meaning.There is only one way to change this dynamic. Democrats need to stop pontificating and start the campaign to actually vote these legislators out of office. Comments from the FDP don’t mean a thing. Just empty words.

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