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U.S. NEWS Wednesday 28 February

Across Florida, parents, teens, officials, talk safety

By KELLI KENNEDY for all gun purchases. The
PARKLAND, Fla. (AP) — Flor- bill would also create a pro-
ida's governor said Tuesday gram that allows teachers
that he's determined to who receive law enforce-
make the Parkland school ment training and are dep-
shooting the last the state utized by the local sheriff's
ever experiences. office to carry concealed
Gov. Rick Scott met with Mi- weapons in the classroom
ami-Dade County officials if also approved by the
to outline a plan to pass a school district.
school safety bill before the Marion Hammer, a lob-
state's annual legislative byist for the National Rifle
session ends next Friday. Association and Unified
Scott says he wants to Sportsmen of Florida, told
spend $500 million to in- the House Appropriations
crease law enforcement Committee that she sup-
and mental health coun- ports hardening schools
selors at schools, to make and keeping guns out of
buildings more secure with the hands of the mentally
metal detectors and to cre- ill, but couldn't support the
ate an anonymous tip line. bill because of the new re-
Family members of slain strictions on gun ownership.
students spoke during the The Rally in Tally protesters chant after marching to the Florida Capitol for the Rally in Tally in Tal- After the meeting, she said
news conference and dur- lahassee, Fla., Feb 26, 2018. the restrictions wouldn't
ing a legislative hearing (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser) have stopped the Park-
Tuesday in Tallahassee. land shootings. "There are
The father of a girl who was contentious gun debate to ty. "There will be time for committee approved the laws in place that if they
shot to death at Marjory stall other efforts. that. Right now, we secure bill that would raise the had been followed, that
Stoneman Douglas High "Let's not get mired down our schools. Next, we figure minimum age to buy rifles shooter could have been
School on Feb. 14 urged in that debate," said Ryan out what went wrong." from 18 to 21 and create stopped so many times it
people not to allow the Petty, father of Alaina Pet- Also Tuesday, a House a three-day waiting period makes your head spin. q

Romney says states should have final say on arming teachers

By MICHELLE L. PRICE classrooms but it should be It's unclear how many Utah ing school buildings and taken action which would
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Mitt up to individual states to teachers carry guns be- intervening with young be harmful."
Romney said there are decide whether they'll per- cause teachers are not re- people who may have Romney also said he'd sup-
a number of things offi- mit that. quired to disclose that they done something alarming port beefing up federal
cials should look at to pre- Lawmakers in several are carrying a weapon. but haven't committed a background-checks for
vent school shootings but states and President Don- School administrators can- crime. those buying firearms, but
wouldn't say Tuesday if he ald Trump have suggested not bar concealed permit "We really don't have said most of the solutions
thinks more states should arming teachers in the holders from carrying their something right now be- should come from states.
let teachers carry guns, as wake of a school shoot- weapons in schools and tween just kicking them One of his Democratic op-
Utah does. ing in Parkland, Florida two are prohibited from asking out of school and putting ponents in the race, Salt
Romney, who is seeking weeks ago that killed 17. teachers or other faculty if them in jail," the former Lake County Council mem-
a U.S. Senate seat in Utah Utah is among at least they carry a gun. Republican presidential ber Jenny Wilson, has criti-
held by retiring Republican eight states that allow, or Romney, who spoke to re- candidate said. "We need cized Romney's comments
Orrin Hatch, told reporters don't specifically prohibit, porters at the Utah state to find ways to help these on the shootings as timid
that he knows some Utah concealed weapons in Capitol after meeting pri- young people in this limbo and noted that he signed
teachers with concealed K-12 schools, according to vately with Republican state. For instance, when a ban on assault weapons
carry permits are able to the Giffords Law Center to state legislators, said offi- they've done something re- in 2004 when he was gover-
provide security in their Prevent Gun Violence. cials need to look at secur- ally frightening but haven't nor of Massachusetts.q