WFTV9 - Florida Democrats Call for Stricter State Gun Laws Following Orlando Mass Shooting

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Florida Democrats met Wednesday to discuss a plan to tighten up the state's gun laws in the wake of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

State Sen. Darren Soto sent letters to Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Andy Gardiner asking to call a special session of the Legislature to implement the emergency legislation.

The plan would ban anyone who is on, or has been on, the FBI's terrorist watch list or no-fly list, from purchasing a gun in Florida.

The proposal would give the Florida Department of Law Enforcement the final say over some gun sales. The agency would be required to review someone formerly on the watch list who applies for a background check to buy a gun.

The lawmakers told Eyewitness news they're concerned federal legislation on gun laws would take too long, so they want to do something on a local level.

The Pulse nightclub gunman, Omar Mateen, had been on the FBI's watch list, but was subsequently removed, allowing him to legally purchase the weapons within a week or so before Sunday's attack.

Addressing Sunday's shooting in the letter, Soto said it should have been preventable.

"Had this measure been in place, the required additional scrutiny by (the Florida Department of Law Enforcement) could have prevented firearms from getting into his possession," he wrote. "We can all agree that the state of Florida has a fundamental duty to protect our citizens against terrorists, both foreign and domestic."

Soto also requested a poll of the state House and Senate to gauge how much support the measure would have.

Rep. Randolph Bracy denied claims that this proposal is an opportunistic political stunt by saying what happened at Pulse was just part of a larger problem.

He said the group's goal is to act now and that the proposal is a very narrow change to existing law.

"I'm not here as a politician. I'm not here as a representative. I'm here as a father who almost lost his son to this senseless crime when he was going to go out and hang out with his two friends but luckily he got talked out of it by a girl who invited him to her birthday party," said Rep. John Cortes, (D) Kissimmee.

"There are many who will call for assault rifle bans, banning firearms for those who commit hate crimes, and additional safety and training protocols. I agree with them. And these are issues that should be scrutinized and hotly debated going forward in future regular sessions," said Sen. Darren Soto, (D) Orlando.

Eyewitness News contact Gov. Rick Scott's office for comment on a proposal for a special session.

No Republicans were at the news conference on Wednesday.

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