At the City of Miramar Commission meeting on February 21, 2017, a commitment was made to
support solutions against gun violence with the passing of a Resolution. The Resolution addresses many factors that involve
calling on the State of Florida, Governor Rick Scott, President Donald Trump and the Federal Government to reduce gun
violence in America and help prevent future mass shooting by requiring a background check for every firearm sale;
supporting the passage of a Red Flag Law; supporting raising the age for legal purchase of firearms, magazines and
ammunition to the age of 21; the passage of legislation that would keep military -style weapons and high capacity magazines
away from schools and most importantly urge the Florida Legislature to repeal the punitive punishments of Elected Offi cials
set forth in Section 790.33 of the Florida Statutes.
Thus, the passing of this Resolution not only proposes addressing deficits in laws enacted by legislation; but favors allowing
municipalities the ability to address these public health, safety and welfare items through local legislation without fear of
removal from office. In doing so, it places an ownership on reducing gun violence in America in an effort to help prevent
future shootings.
Further, it documents a focus on what an increase of hate groups, international and lone wolf domestic terrorism,
underfunded community mental health programs, and an ease of access to military grade, high capacity magazine assault
weapons have created. In particular, these circumstances have led to an unprecedented number of mass shootings in
American communities in recent years. This is inclusive of the nation’s most recent incident on February 14, 2018, where
Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 people, including students, teachers, and coaches, and wounded 14 others at Marjory
Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
It has also been noted by the Miramar Commission that American Communities and National and State leaders have failed
at implementing sensible gun law reform. It is documented that there have been more than 12,000 Americans are murdered
with guns every year, and too many of these crimes are committed by individuals who are barred from purchasing or
possessing guns under federal law. Thus, the City of Miramar’s passing of this resolution invites advocating for commonsense
policies that keep guns out of dangerous hands while respecting the rights of law-abiding gun owners. If there is a
role Congress and state governments should take action to close deadly gaps, then the City of Miramar is invested.
