The chairman of the state House Judiciary Committee says it’s too soon after the Orlando mass shooting to consider major policy changes.
President Barack Obama immediately called for stricter gun laws and Democratic legislators are calling for a special session, but Republican Charles McBurney of Jacksonville considers that insensitive.
“Our thoughts, our prayers, ought to be with the victims, their families, their friends that are effected by sad, senseless tragedy. The policy issues you can deal with later. But my thoughts are with the victims.”
A staunch conservative, McBurney has a love-hate relationship with the National Rifle Association. The NRA gave him a 100 percent rating two years ago, but that was before McBurney opposed expanding Florida’s stand your ground law. Now, the NRA is urging Governor Rick Scott not to consider McBurney’s nomination for circuit judge.