Final passage of the bill by state lawmakers came after a gunman opened fire with a semiautomatic assault-style rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public in Parkland, Florida, killing 14 students and three faculty members on February 14. The bill left only non-teacher staff eligible to participate, such as administrators, guidance counselors, librarians and coaches. Scott said he remained dissatisfied with the guardian provisions but signed the bill nonetheless, saying it would enhance school safety overall. "I am glad, however, that the plan in this bill is not mandatory, which means it will be up to locally elected officials," Scott said. The minimum age for handguns nationally is 21, but a person as young as 18 could buy a rifle in Florida.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 10, 2018 00:00 UTC