Florida Democrats will repeat their long-shot call for a special session to address gun violence — something that Republicans running the Legislature have openly questioned — today in Orlando.
Sen. Darren Soto, D-Orlando, and Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, will discuss their effort to force Secretary of State Ken Detzner to survey legislative members on a special session, according to a joint release from the lawmakers.
Florida Democrats have been pushing for the session since the June 12 mass shooting — the worst in the nation’s history — at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
When asked about the possibility of garnering the necessary support from Republicans, Soto said public pressure is growing to address gun violence and that “anything can happen.”
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, has dismissed the call for a special session because no legislation dealing with the issue had been filed. But Soto said Monday that Democrats have a specific proposal.
The intent of the session would be to address a proposed prohibition on gun sales to people on federal terror watch lists and to require law enforcement agencies to share information as part of existing background checks, according the Democrats ‘ news release said.
The release also noted Florida’s secretary of state is required to survey the members of both chambers if at least 32 members want a special session. The session would be called if three-fifths of the Republican-dominated House and Senate agree to convene.