State senator from Bradenton says he is grateful for the support

Bradenton state Sen. Bill Galvano is facing criticism from the National Rifle Association after his political committee received a big contribution from a prominent gun control organization.

Following the school shooting in Parkland earlier this year, Galvano helped pass the first significant gun control measures Florida has seen in years. The gun restrictions were paired with a proposal supported by conservatives that allows school districts to arm certain employees — including some teachers — in an effort to gain bipartisan support for the bill.

This month, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund contributed $200,000 to Galvano's political committee, Innovate Florida. Galvano, a Republican who is in line to become Senate president this year, is raising big money through the committee to help elect other Republican senators and hold on to the GOP's majority in the Senate.

But former NRA President Marion Hammer is not happy that Galvano is drawing support from a gun control group. Everytown for Gun Safety is a nonprofit that was founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"Looks like our Second Amendment Rights were sold for a large contribution from anti-gun former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg," Hammer, the NRA's Florida lobbyist, wrote in an email that was sent out Monday.

Galvano defended the legislation he pushed through after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — where 17 people were killed on Feb. 14 — and said he is "grateful" for Everytown's support.

“I will make no apologies for the responsible steps we took in a bipartisan manner in the wake of the worst school shooting in our state’s history," Galvano said in a statement. "I have made it clear that as Senate President I will continue to advocate for increased safety and security in our schools. I am grateful for the support."

Hammer has been critical of lawmakers who supported the school safety bill. The bill provided $400 million to help schools with security efforts, but gun rights advocates did not like provisions in the legislation that increase the age limit for purchasing a shotgun or rifle to 21 and impose a three-day waiting period on gun purchases.

Earlier this year, Hammer sent out an email accusing GOP House Speaker Richard Corcoran of “treachery” and “betrayal” for supporting the bill.