In response to Florida House lawmakers passing a bill that would allow classroom teachers to be armed during working hours, many of the students involved in “March for Our Lives” voiced their opposition to the bill.
The Miami Herald reports if the bill is signed into law, it will expand an existing program that allows for more armed security guards on school grounds. Teachers and other school staff who volunteer to carry a gun would then undergo screening and training by the local sheriff’s office.
The students involved in “March for Our Lives,” who started the organization after surviving the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., said they would feel unsafe with a gun in the classroom.
David Hogg said the bill was an “emotional and illogical response to address gun violence.”
Thank you @browardsheriff for denouncing the arming of teachers.
This is an emotional and illogical response to address gun violence by the Florida legislature that will only get more students killed.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 2, 2019
LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS, THOSE IN THE LEGISLATURE DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO US https://t.co/90DYwsLAlq
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) May 2, 2019
Lauren Hogg, David’s sister, said she would have to move if the bill was signed.
NO NO NO NO NO NO. I refuse to go to a school in a state that lets teachers have guns in the classroom. This is not okay. I don’t know if I can live in FL anymore and feel okay going to school. https://t.co/Ms09cNvrii
— Lauren Hogg (@lauren_hoggs) May 2, 2019
CALL (850) 717-9337 TO DEMAND THAT @GovRonDeSantis VETOES THIS BILL. https://t.co/uMVI8tr9gL
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) May 2, 2019
.@GovRonDeSantis listen to the students, not the legislature.
The blood doesn’t have to be on your hands. https://t.co/AW0qC6utWh
— Alex Wind (@al3xw1nd) May 2, 2019
Anyone who thinks ARMING TEACHERS will DECREASE school shootings is ignoring the reality that more guns only bring more gun violence.
Guns aren’t protected under the consumer protection act meaning they can discharge randomly w/o liability.
Here is what is already happening:
— Matt Deitsch (@MattxRed) May 2, 2019
Florida teachers have and continue to be paid the worst in America. But, Florida lawmakers can magically pay $70,000,000 to arm them
FL lawmakers care more about guns then they do about giving teachers a livable wage#BooksNotBulletshttps://t.co/fN7lBFbvUU
— March For Our Lives – Parkland (@MFOLParkland) May 2, 2019
Robert Runice, the Broward County superintendent and who oversees Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, said in a statement they would not opt-in to the program if it becomes law.
“The Broward County School Board voted on a resolution against arming teachers in March 2018,” he said. “We do not believe arming teachers is the best way to make our schools safe.”
17 students and staff were killed during the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas on Valentine’s Day in 2018, with 17 being wounded.
