Florida lawmakers sparked controversy by forcibly removing LGBTQ+ leader Maxx Fanning from chambers as he voiced support for a gun control law. Fanning, executive director for Prism and anchor at Queer News Tonight, spoke at a Florida House Judiciary Committee opposing a proposed rollback of gun-buying rules post-Parkland shooting. However, when he exceeded his allotted time, lawmakers cut his microphone, and security physically removed him from the room. Fanning later shared the incident on social media, expressing frustration at the abrupt removal. During his brief allotted time to speak, Fanning detailed the events that prompted Florida's current gun laws. In 2018, then-Governor Rick Scott signed a comprehensive gun reform and school safety package, increasing the minimum age to purchase assault rifles from 18 to 21. Now, the Florida House this year, with Ron DeSantis as the Governor, is entertaining the idea of rolling back these age restrictions. As the final speaker on the bill, before it heads to the floor for consideration, Fanning also recounted his experience during the tragic Parkland shooting. He vividly described how he witnessed the horror unfold through social media as a 19-year-old gunman unleashed terror at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, claiming 17 lives and injuring 17 others. Fanning, then a sophomore at Boca Raton Community High School, was hardly a few minutes away from the place of the incident. As Florida lawmakers contemplate potential revisions to existing gun laws, it is imperative to heed the voices of individuals like Fanning, who have personally experienced the devastating impact of gun violence. #Students & Youth Culture