This qualifies as progress.
Last month the Florida Legislature passed–almost unanimously–a bill that surprised some gun rights supporters. All it needs is Gov. Rick Scott’s signature, and it becomes law.
No, it doesn’t ban, say, assault weapons or high-capacity magazines. Nor does it restrict concealed carry permits or refine “stand your ground” law. This is still Florida. But it would limit gun purchases by preventing some mentally ill people from buying them.
Current Florida law prohibits those committed involuntarily under the Baker Act, which applies to people deemed a danger to themselves or others, from buying a firearm. Under the proposed legislation, this prohibition would also apply to those who voluntarily seek mental health treatment after being examined under Florida’s Baker Act statutes.
If Gov. Scott is looking for cover, he has the blessing of Marion Hammer, NRA icon and founder of United Sportsmen of Florida. If he is looking for further justification, there’s always this: Why, even in Florida, would you not keep all Baker Acters away from guns?
But this is progress.