FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to advocate for the strengthening of laws aimed at preventing gun violence. Harris will meet with families of the victims of the tragic shooting that occurred at the school in 2018, where 17 individuals lost their lives.
During her visit, Harris will emphasize the importance of implementing “red flag” laws that allow courts to issue protection orders to remove firearms from individuals deemed to pose a high risk of causing harm to themselves or others. Currently, six U.S. states have such laws in place and are utilizing federal funds to support crisis intervention programs.
While in Florida, Harris will call upon 29 states without existing red flag laws to enact similar legislation. Additionally, she will urge the 15 states already with such laws to make use of the available federal funding. Despite the approval of a red flag law in Florida following the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the state has yet to utilize the allocated federal funds for this purpose.
The tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shed light on the importance of addressing mental health issues and implementing preventative measures to curb gun violence in the United States. Advocates of the red flag laws argue that they are essential for public safety, while opponents view them as a violation of their Second Amendment rights.
President Joe Biden has made combating gun violence a central theme of his administration’s agenda and has called for stricter gun control measures, such as an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for all gun sales. However, given the current political climate in a divided Congress, passing such legislation may prove challenging.
As the nation grapples with the devastating impact of gun violence, Harris’ visit to Parkland, Florida serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The demolition of the building where the 2018 shooting took place symbolizes a somber chapter in American history and the need for continued advocacy for sensible gun laws.