In 1996, Australia experienced a horrendous mass murder known as the Port Arthur Massacre. A man named Martin Bryant went to a popular tourist site and methodically murdered 35 people, including a few that he murdered on his way to Port Arthur and after his departure. Among his victims was a young mother and her two daughters, ages 6 and 3.

This event shocked the nation, which proceeded to enact strict laws about access to guns, registration of guns, and restrictions on private ownership of semi-automatic guns. In addition,  the government initiated a massive gun buy-back program.

There has not been a mass murder in Australia since 1996 and the national adoption of meaningful gun controls.

In the U.S., there are a significant number of people who love their guns more than human life.

Will the latest school massacre in Florida turn Americans against the National Rifle Association and its adherents in Congress and state legislatures? Will it be the equivalent of the Port Arthur Massacre?

The New York Times explains the obstacles to any significant change in gun laws in Florida, which is one of the most gun-friendly states in the nation.

“In the wake of Florida’s latest shooting massacre, and calls to tighten its relaxed gun laws, Gov. Rick Scott declared that now, everything was on the table.

“Yet the governor sidestepped whether he would explicitly support new gun restrictions. And he emphasized he would never “trample” on anyone’s constitutional rights.”

Scott is the keynote speaker at the NRA annual convention in Dallas, May 3-6.

“Florida’s gun lobby continues to instill fear in lawmakers. It is led by Marion Hammer, 78, who grew up shooting rabbits, reportedly packs a pistol in her purse and seeks political vengeance on legislators who disappoint her.

“Though Florida is a purple state, Mr. Scott, a favorite of gun lobbyists, and other Republicans control state government, and they have steadfastly opposed new restrictions. For gun-control advocates, victories of late have included steps like defeating legislation to allow some people to carry guns into airport terminals.
Gun owners are now a major constituency, too: Nearly two million residents have permits to carry concealed weapons, far more than any other state…

”Florida’s pro-gun approach came under scrutiny after mass shootings in Orlando in 2016 and in Fort Lauderdale last year. But, little changed in the Statehouse; bills to limit assault weapons, for example, did not get a hearing.
Even after the massacre in Parkland last week, the only movement on gun bills dealt with proposals to expand where guns could be carried, not to restrict them.

”State Senator Dennis Baxley, a Republican who wrote the Stand Your Ground law in 2005 and is a major gun-rights backer, doubts gun-control proposals will gain traction.”

“I don’t see any interest here on that,” said Mr. Baxley, who represents parts of Sumter, Marion and Lake Counties. “We’re pretty comfortable that freedom works.”

”Mr. Baxley likens gun restrictions to imposing limits on forks and spoons to reduce obesity. He argued the focus needs to be on school safety…

”Changing Florida’s gun laws could come down to two things: Whether Ms. Hammer can keep legislators from breaking ranks. And, the ambitions of Mr. Scott, who is increasingly expected to challenge Bill Nelson, the state’s incumbent Democratic senator this year.

”Ms. Hammer, who stands barely 5 feet tall, has been the state’s chief gun lobbyist for decades and was the first woman to serve as national N.R.A. president. The state’s Stand Your Ground and concealed-carry laws were largely her initiatives.

”Legislators, especially Republicans, fear her ability to marshal angry emails from thousands of gun owners in every pocket of the state, destroying ambitions of even onetime allies.

“She can be pretty hard on people who aren’t coming around,” Mr. Baxley said. “She has a long memory when you cross her.”

Will members of the legislature listen to Ms. Hammer and the NRA, or will they listen to the teenagers of the state?

Ms. Hammer, the NRA, AND Governor Scott have blood on their hands. The blood of victims of the Pulse nightclub and the blood of students and staff at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. How many more children and adults will die until they open their eyes and hearts?