Florida Governor Signs ‘School Safety’ Bill That Could Arm Teachers

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed into state law new gun restrictions and a provision that allows teachers to arm themselves in response to the Parkland school shooting.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed into state law new gun restrictions ─ and a provision that allows teachers to arm themselves ─ crafted in response to the February killing of 17 people at a suburban high school.

The measure — dubbed the "Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act" — raises the age to buy all firearms to 21, imposes a three-day waiting period for most gun purchases, allows trained school workers to carry handguns, provides new mental health programs for schools, and restricts access to guns from people who show signs of mental illness or violence.

Scott announced his support of the bill at a news conference with relatives of the Feb. 14 shooting in Parkland. He praised them, along with student survivors, for pressing lawmakers to improve school safety and keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, reports NBC News.

The Florida state legislature passed the bill this week.

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