Tag: marjory stoneman douglas high school

Lawmakers say they are feeling more pressure than ever to act on gun control after the latest deadly mass shooting at a public high school. A large reason, aides and lawmakers alike say, is the emotional pleas from students who survived the shooting — and who have expressed horror at the idea that nothing will be done in response to the killings of their schoolmates. Still, the public outcry that followed last week’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., has fueled some hope among gun reformers that the political winds are shifting in their favor. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) said the protests in recent days constitute “a new type of organic outcry,” one even more prominent than the demonstrations that followed a similar shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Further raising hopes that gun control has real momentum is a new Quinnipiac poll that shows 66 percent of Americans support stricter gun laws — the highest level of support ever measured by the university. “If you think Americans are largely unmoved by the mass shootings, you should think again. In December, the House passed legislation that paired allowing people to use permits for carrying concealed weapons across state lines with the bipartisan Fix NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) Act. But House GOP leaders’ decision to attach the concealed-carry reciprocity measure — which Democrats oppose — tanked the bipartisan background checks bill’s chances in the Senate. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week laid out several proposals that are on the short list of Democratic priorities following the Florida shooting, such as expanding the federal background check system to include a broader swath of gun sales and empowering federal researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to treat gun violence as a public health issue. The next funding deadline is March 23 — one day before the gun reform rally scheduled in D.C.

They’re taking matters into their own hands and advocating for stricter gun control laws and more mental health resources for treating troubled peers. Following the shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas students, including Emma Gonzalez, have been vocal on social media and in traditional media to call for action with their refrain “never again.” At the end of last week, calls to action — from walkouts to marches on Washington — spread on social media. Here’s a guide to the upcoming events: March 14, 2018: National School Walkout The Women’s March’s Youth EMPOWER group is planning a national school walkout on March 14, 2018, according to the group’s website. At 10 a.m. in every time zone, organizers are encouraging teachers, students, administrators, parents and allies to walk out for 17 minutes — one for every person killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. March 24, 2018: March For Our Lives: On March 24, 2018, student organizers, including those from Parkland, are planning March For Our Lives, a march in Washington, D.C. to call for school safety and gun control. “No special interest group, no political agenda is more critical than timely passage of legislation to effectively address the gun violence issues that are rampant in our country.” More info can be found at the website and Facebook page. In December 2012, 20 students and six staff members were gunned down at Sandy Hook. The plan calls for high school students to walk out on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. No time has been specified yet. The plans are currently being housed on Twitter along with a Change.org petition page that has over 65,000 signatures Monday evening.

Douglas High School teacher Greg Pittman asks when will Congress and the government stop conveying 'thoughts' and start taking action to protect students from gun violence. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About: MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis…

On Jan. 5, a person close to Nikolas Cruz called an FBI tip line and warned about, among other things, Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill people, and potential to shoot at a school. » Subscribe to MSNBC: http://on.msnbc.com/SubscribeTomsnbc About:…