Campaign Action
On Tuesday, the Florida House voted down legislation that would have banned assault weapons, raised the age for firearms possession from 18 to 21 and banned bump stocks. While students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School watched, and while sheriffs from around the state were in a legislative workshop pleading for more help in combatting gun violence, the House refused to answer their call and defeated the bill 36-71.
It's what they did right after that vote that really demonstrates just how craven Florida Republicans can be. Immediately after voting down the assault weapons ban, they passed a voice vote declaring porn a public health risk.
During the debate, State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D) questioned State Rep. Ross Spano, the GOP lawmaker who presented the pornography bill, asking if pornography has killed anyone or caused first responders to seek counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Smith later criticized Spano and the bill to the Associated Press.
“[Spano] was saying porn as a health risk was more important to address here in the Florida Legislature than the epidemic of gun violence," Smith told the AP. "These are their priorities. I don't understand the politics, to be honest, if I'm being honest. I'm not aware there's a base of voters who are losing sleep every night over the epidemic of pornography as a public health crisis."
Look out, Florida Republicans. The young men and women of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High are exposing you for what you are. And they will beat you.