Thread by @JoelChan86

I'm frustrated that (at least on my Twitter feed) this isn't the main storyline of the historic gun control bill passed in the wake of the #ParklandSchoolShooting, especially in light of @teamtrace's recent piece on precisely how the NRA wields influence in the legislature. 1/n

Main stories I'm seeing: from the left, the NRA's lawsuit against Florida, and concerns about arming teachers; from the right, following the NRA's talking point about this bill being an affront to 2nd-amendment rights. 2/n

Re: arming teachers, I'm seeing a lot of rhetoric about how the proposal is really about selling more guns, or giving guns to all teachers. But the text of the actual bill mandates a *TON* of requirements for who can be essentially a school version of an air marshal. 3/n

Read the bill here: flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2…. Reqs include 132 hrs of firearm safety/proficienty training, passing psych eval, initial and continuing random drug tests, ongoing annual firearms training, 12 hrs diversity training. 4/n

If these comprehensive reqs are met for a potential volunteer teacher (who would apply for the program), local officials decide whether to approve arming that teacher or funneling funds to other school needs. 5/n

Further, school employees whose sole function in the school is classroom instruction cannot apply, unless they are in a training corps program, current servicemember, or current/former LEO. Previous stringent reqs still apply. 6/n

I'm concerned we as a nation might waste this rare moment of (contentious, but sincere) bipartisan effort to pass gun violence policies in defiance of NRA lobbying and even outright policy writing in Florida. Again SIXTY-SEVEN Rs with A ratings crossed the aisle for this. 7/n

Let's applaud these efforts, and the amazing #Parkland-sparked #NeverAgain movement that pushed for this to happen, and build on this success, small though it may seem to some! /end

Should add I'm speaking as a lay but concerned (have 2-year old son) citizen who wants to be informed. Any errors in interpretation mine based on reading the bill itself, please correct if I'm wrong!