Florida might prevent public release of mass shooting pictures, audio

The Florida Senate is considering a bill that would block the public from accessing photos, videos or audio related to a mass shooting.

The proposal (SB 186) would create a public records exemption for records related to the death of a person in incidents where three or more people, not including the killer, are killed in an "intentional act of violence."

"In the age of the internet there is potential for commercialization of these photographic and video products," said Republican Sen. Tom Lee, a sponsor of the bill according to the Tampa Bay Times.  "There is also some law enforcement that is concerned about these being used as recruiting tools and training tools for what was done right and not done right."

The Times also quotes Scott McCoy of the Southern Poverty Law Center, who thinks the bill should be more narrowly drawn.

“Our concern is there is some footage that actually would have value in being able to be accessed by the public, the press, or watchdog groups,” McCoy said.

The Senate bill has already passed by the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and now goes to the Rules Committee.

There's already a companion bill in the Florida House (HB 7107) which has been added to the agenda for the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.