When Sen. Benacquisto moved to take a vote after just two speakers the room erupted in protest

James Call | Tallahassee Democrat

James Call

Hali Tauxe/Democrat

TALLAHASSEE — More than two hundred orange-T-Shirt clad Rally in Tally Floridians filled a Senate committee room a half hour before a hearing on a package of gun control measures. They were a remnant of an estimated 1,200 demonstrators who marched on the state Capitol Monday where lawmakers began considering the first set of restrictions on gun ownership in 20 years.

Lawmakers have until March 9 to respond to the Valentine Day massacre at a Parkland high school. The proposals expected to move this week in House and Senate committees would arm teachers with weapons, make it easier to take into custody people suspected of mental illness, impose a three-day cooling off period and a minimum age for weapons purchase, and spend more money on mental health programs in schools.

A ban on assault weapons is not included in the package. But that is the number one demand of the Parkland survivors and their supporters. And was the demand repeatedly mentioned by protesters at a Monday morning rally, at a mid-afternoon news conference and of the hundred people who filled a Knott Building hallway. All seats inside were filled with their friends, neighbors and fellow protesters wanting a chance to demand that assault weapons no longer be legally allowed in Florida.

“They can’t run and hide from the Parkland kids,” said Sen. Kevin Radar, D-Broward, talking about the Republican majority that won’t act on an assault weapons ban that has been waiting for a hearing since the Pulse shooting.

Since 2016, three mass shootings, including at the Fort Lauderdale Airport, have taken the lives of 71 Floridians.

“The big difference between what happened at Pulse, what happened at Fort Lauderdale, is here with Stoneman Douglas High School we’re in session.” Said Radar. “The governor, The Speaker of the House and the Senate President cannot ignore 17 lives taken away when we have two weeks to do something.”

The Senate Rules Committee had the opening round in what appears will be a two-day fight. Senate Democrats held a joint news conference with House Democrats before the opening hearing to denounce the Republican package as delusional if the goal is to end gun violence and keep schools safe. They took particular aim at the Republican proposal to arm teachers.

“If we weaponize our teachers then the gun lobby who wants to sell more guns and want more people armed are the clear winners here,” said House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz.

The Democrats' plan is to file amendments at every opportunity to ban semi-automatic weapons such as those used at Pulse, Fort Lauderdale and Parkland.

“We will not bow down to the gun lobby,” said Cruz as the protesters cheered. “You hear me senators? You hear me representatives? We will not bow down.”

From that rally the protesters followed Senate Democrats across the Capital campus to the Knott Building where the first hearing on the gun control package was scheduled. Sen. Javier Rodriguez-Miami, proposed an amendment to the first bill to ban the sale, transfer and possession of a series of about 80 different assault weapons.

“The problem with this amendment is I can’t find any guns that would be legal,” said NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer.

Pastor Andy Oliver of Allendale United Methodist Church followed Hammer to the lectern.

After Oliver urged lawmakers to pass a ban, Committee Chair Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, called for a vote, and the crowd erupted in protest. Scores of people howled they were denied an opportunity to speak.

Benacquisto moved to quell the confusion with an explanation about procedure. That provoked more protests. She relented and 41 people, nearly all in support of a ban, spoke for the next two hours and 20 minutes about why they support Rodriguez’s amendment.

“All countries have mentally ill people but we are the only country that lets them get weapons for mass killings,” Sam Sharf, a 17-year old from Plant City, told Senators.

“Some of us will be coming for your seats in the future,” Sharf said. After speaking to the panel, he asked a Sargent of Arms to fill out his speaker’s card for him because his hand was shaking from the experience.

Shannon Kalmbach of St. Petersburg was the last citizen to speak to the Senate Rules Committee before it voted on the ban.

“It is the right thing to do,” said Kalmbach a mother of two. “You know those weapons are used only to kill people.”

The panel voted down the ban and three other amendments filed by Democrats. However, the proposal to allow districts to authorize teachers to carry weapons passed by a 9-4 vote. It must get pass the Appropriations Committee to make it to the full Senate.

A similar House bill will be considered in committee Tuesday.

Hali Tauxe/Democrat

Hali Tauxe/Democrat

Hali Tauxe/Democrat

Hali Tauxe/Democrat