Gun legislation passes Fla. House

Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.

The Florida House passed a school safety bill Wednesday that includes new restrictions on rifle sales and a program to arm some teachers, sending the measure to the governor for his signature.

The vote of 67-50 reflected a mix of Republicans and Democrats in support and opposition. The measure, a response to the shootings at a Parkland high school that left 17 dead, is supported by the victims’ families.

The bill would raise the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and create a waiting period on sales of the weapons. It also would create a so-called guardian program that would let school employees and many teachers carry handguns if they go through law-enforcement training and if the school district decides to participate in the program.