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Survivors Seek End to Gun Violence

July 2nd, 2014 by Mike Vasilinda

More than 28 thousand petitions signed by Floridians seeking an end to gun violence were delivered to Governor Rick Scott and U-S Senator Marco Rubio today at the state Capitol. In addition to petitions, Mike Vasilinda tells us organizers came with personal stories of tragedy.

Richard Martinez is quick to tell you that he didn’t give gun violence much thought…until his 20 year old son Michael was gunned down at a Santa Barbara college just over a month ago.

Now Martinez is delivering thousands of petitions to policy makers at every level of Government. As he entered teh Governor’s office he said: “And if this isn’t enough, we’ll get more.”

28 thousand petitions  were delivered to Governor Rick Scott. Martinez spoke with the receptionist, telling her:  “My son goes to college…and he’s dead. I didn’t do anything until my son got killed, right? Well, I’m telling you, don’t wait till your kids get killed.”

Martinez isn’t alone. Erin Lafferty’s mom was the principal at Sandy Hook Elementary. “It’s not normal for a 47 year old woman to go to work in an elementary school and not come home from work.  She wasn’t a marine, she wasn’t a police office, she was an educator and a really good one” says Lafferty.

All together three dozen people participated. Christina Anderson is organizing the FSU chapter of Mom’s demand Action. She say their effort is young and will get stronger. “This is not going away. We’re not going anywhere” she says.

And as these survivors leave the capitol, they are leaving with the knowledge that this is a pro gun state.

Because of the 2014 legislature, gun owners who feel threatened can fire a waring shot. Kids can point their fingers like a pistol and not be expelled from school, insurance companies can;t charge you more if you own a gun, and applying for concealed weapons permits will be more convenient.

In addition to passing four gun bills, lawmakers also killed revisions to the controversial Stand Your Ground legislation.  And earlier today, the Florida Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of a Palm Beach man who was denied the right to use Stand Your Ground as a defense.

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