About one hundred pro-Second Amendment activists rallied at the state capitol in Tallahassee Tuesday, calling for a bill they say would nullify many federal gun laws and executive orders. Known as the Florida Second Amendment Preservation Act, the bill would give lawmakers the power to declare most federal gun restrictions – whether past, present or future – null and void.
The group says recent high-profile cases of gun violence, like those in Connecticut and Colorado, have created knee-jerk reactions to create stricter gun laws. Gun-rights activist Chris Hall says tighter gun control only hurts law-abiding citizens.
"Being left in our homes and our neighborhoods, defenseless from attack and defenseless from tyranny, we will not tolerate", said Hall.
Ten other states have already passed similar legislation.
Two Florida lawmakers plan to file the measure this month for the upcoming legislative session. The Legislature is also considering a bill that would expand Florida's "stand your ground" self-defense law.
On Wednesday, a Senate panel will hear a bill that would allow people who reasonably feel that their lives are in danger to show a gun, fire a warning shot or threaten to use force.