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Thousands of people support students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in a rally for gun control at the Florida capitol (2/21/18).The Florida legislature is poised to pass some of the most sweeping gun control and mental health reforms in more than 20 years. The moves come as lawmakers face pressure from students affected by the Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.On Valentine's Day, a 19-year-old in Parkland opened fire on his former classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He killed 14 students, three adults, and injured 14 others. There were warning signs, yet, all, including a tip to the FBI, were missed.That day, school safety measures in place, like school resource officers, restricted access and fencing--all failed.In the wake of the shooting, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas have mobilized, calling on the legislature to take greater action to prevent school and mass shootings. Lawmakers, it seems, are finally listening.https://youtu.be/6PRPEfu7WPg

Sen. Nelson Among Those Calling On Trump To Block Downloadable 3D Printed Gun Blueprints

The "Liberator," an example of the 3D-printable gun.
Defense Distributed website

Blueprints on how to make a functional 3D printed gun at home are now available online. But, Florida’s U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is among several Democrats calling on President Trump to step in.

At a press conference Tuesday, Nelson said it’s not right to allow a company to publish the plans online to make a gun that can evade the detection systems of government buildings.

Due to a settlement reached in June with the federal government, “Defense Distributed” will now be allowed to put the blueprints to a printable 3D gun online. Eight states have already filed suit to block the settlement.

Nelson says he’s among the lawmakers who have, in the past, filed legislation requiring all guns to have a metal part and a serial number. But, he adds it doesn’t take legislation to stop the online post.

“All the administration has to do…all President Trump is say, ‘stop,’ and his departments can pull back on the reigns and stop the publication,” said Nelson, earlier Tuesday.

Nelson says with all the mass shootings that have occurred around the country with actual guns, he also doesn’t want the blueprints published to increase these types of shootings with 3D printed guns.

“You remember Sandy Hook elementary in Connecticut? And, obviously most recently in my state: the Parkland shooting. And, as a result of that, some of the action that’s being taken is to harden schools. That won’t do a bit of good, if you allow these plastic guns to be manufactured.”

Below is a tweet from President Trump earlier Tuesday morning:

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.