Scott: I believe in the Second Amendment but ‘I’m a dad’

Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Sunday said he supports the Second Amendment, but must weigh constitutional rights against public safety in the aftermath of a mass shooting at a Florida high school.

“I’m a dad, I’m a granddad and I’m a governor. I want my state to be safe. I want every child to be in a safe environment when they’re trying to be educated,” Scott said on “Fox News Sunday.” 

“I’m going to do what I can to make sure guns are not in the hands of the wrong people. If you have mental illness you shouldn’t have a gun. If you’ve threatened yourself or threaten others, you shouldn’t have a gun,” Scott added.

{mosads}A gunman opened fire on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 in Parkland, Fla., killing 17 people and injuring more than a dozen others. The alleged gunman, Nikolas Cruz, reportedly used an AR-15 that he purchased legally.

In response, Scott on Friday unveiled a $500 million plan to prevent future school shootings. The proposal would raise the age to purchase all firearms in the state to 21, which would be opposed by the National Rifle Association.

The proposal would also provide funding to “harden” schools with bulletproof glass and improved fencing, as well as money to be put toward mental health programs. 

President Trump has said he supports arming teachers to prevent future school shootings, but Scott said he opposes that idea, and doubled down on that opposition Sunday.

Scott said on Sunday he doesn’t support banning assault weapons, despite calls from school shooting survivors to do so. Instead, he said he wants to keep guns away from those with mental health problems or who threaten themselves or others.

“I’m not into banning specific weapons; I think what you need to do is ban specific people from having weapons,” he said.