Florida Republican Lawmakers Officially Declare Pornography a Health Risk – Right After Refusing to Ban Assault Rifles

‘If There Is Another Mass Shooting It’s Going to Be Their Fault’ 16-Year Old Student Says

The Republican-majority Florida House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon officially passed a bill declaring pornography a health risk – especially to teens – just one hour after refusing to take up a bill banning assault rifles. 

Students, including some survivors of last week’s Parkland, Florida school shooting, in which 17 students and faculty members were killed by a 19-year old with an assault rifle were present or en route as lawmakers took up both bills. The motion to begin debate on the assault weapons ban was took just three minutes to be defeated, 71-36, as The Washington Post reports.

“They had a chance to stop it today. If there is another mass shooting it’s going to be their fault,” 16-year old Sheryl Acquaroli told CNN. 

The legislation to declare pornography a health risk was sponsored by GOP Rep. Ross Spano, who is running to be attorney general.

“Spano said there’s research showing a connection between pornography use and mental and physical illnesses, forming and maintaining intimate relationships and deviant sexual behavior,” The Associated Press reports. “The resolution states a need for education, research and policy changes to protect Floridians, especially teenagers, from pornography.”