A Florida Senate panel has rejected an amendment to add an assault weapons ban to a package of reforms.

The Senate Rules Committee rejected the ban 7-6, on a largely party line vote.

The crowd of gun control activists, at the Capitol for another rally, erupted in cries of "shame, shame, shame," followed by cries of "vote them out."

The committee did advance the overall package, Senate Bill 7026, dubbed the "Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act." 

"This legislation provides law enforcement, the courts, and schools with the tools necessary to enhance public and school safety and will enhance coordination between education and law enforcement entities at the state and local levels to help prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again,” said Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), who presented the bill today.

To learn more about the specifics of Senate Bill 7026, visit www.FLSenate.gov

Many people in the crowd traveled from across the state on buses chartered by Philip Levine, the wealthy former mayor of Miami Beach who is running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. 

Today's rally comes on the heels of hundreds of students turning out at the Capitol last week in wake of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people. 

The gunman, Nikolas Cruz — a 19-year-old former Douglas student — is charged in the deaths.

Top state Republicans have rolled out a gun violence prevention package that doesn't include an assault weapon ban, placing a bigger focus on mental health and school security.

These activists call that a nonstarter.