Florida Senate will not take up bill aimed at closing the ‘gun-show loophole’

A bill aimed at expanding background checks for private sales at gun shows has stalled in the Florida Senate and will not be taken up this year.

Florida Senate President Bill Galvano (R) told reporters that the chamber will not be taking up the measure before the session ends on March 13, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

“Public safety is still a priority for the Florida Senate. … We are going to have a public safety day where we pass myriad measures that are going to make Floridians more secure in this state,” he said.

The legislation, which several Republicans — including Galvano — supported, sought to close the “gun-show loophole” and require documentation be kept for private gun sales.

Supporters of the legislation say it is “common-sense” gun reform that is backed by a majority of Floridians.

A new poll released this week from the University of North Florida Public Opinion Lab and First Coast News found that an overwhelming 86 percent of respondents said that all sales or transfers of firearms should be conducted through a licensed firearm dealer and persons involved in the sale or transfer should be subjected to background checks.

The background check push had bipartisan support in the poll, with 73 percent of Republicans and 96 percent of Democrats polled saying they’re in favor.

Opponents of the background check legislation, including the National Rifle Association, claim that it would put an unjust burden on lawful gun owners.

Twelve states currently impose background check requirements on gun shows, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

The Sun-Sentinel noted that several counties in Florida including Broward, the county where the deadly 2017 Parkland high school shooting took place, have local regulations requiring expanded background checks.