In the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut, Florida will soon issue its one millionth concealed weapons permit, and that has gun control advocates worried that what happened there could more easily happen here. Politicians in the state are divided over the issue.
Some are calling for bans on assault weapons. Others want to see more people armed.
Republican State Rep. Dennis Baxley says schools should not be gun-free zones any longer. Baxley is the same legislator who sponsored the Stand Your Ground Law. He says schools would be safer if teachers and principals were authorized to carry guns.
Former GOP Senator George LeMieux says more citizens being armed might not be a bad thing.
"In states where people have the ability to carry a concealed weapon, violence could be down because it's a deterrent", said LeMieux.
But South Florida Congresswoman and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz believes just the opposite..
Schultz said, "It is far too easy to get a weapon in the state of Florida, and it makes this kind of gun violence more likely."
Both of Florida's US senators say they support the Second Amendment. But through a spokesperson Republican Sen. Marco Rubio says he's always been open to measures that would keep guns away from criminals and the mentally ill. And Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, also speaking through a spokesperson, notes he's voted in the past to ban weapons such as AK-47s.