PARKLAND, Florida – Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a tragic shooting took place in 2018, resulting in the loss of 17 lives. During her visit, Harris plans to meet with families of the victims and push for the strengthening of laws that allow for the removal of firearms from individuals deemed high-risk.
Harris will advocate for the implementation of “red flag” laws, which enable courts to issue “extreme risk protection orders” to prevent individuals from harming themselves or others with firearms. Six U.S. states currently have such laws in place and are utilizing federal funds from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to support crisis intervention programs.
As part of her initiative, Harris urges 29 states without red flag laws to enact them, while also encouraging the 15 states with existing laws to access available federal funding. Despite Florida’s approval of a red flag law after the 2018 shooting, the state has not utilized the federal resources to support such measures.
The tragic incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School involved a former student who exhibited signs of mental health issues. The shooter, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty and received a life sentence for his actions. The physical location of the shooting is scheduled for demolition this year, remaining largely unchanged since the devastating event.
While some individuals believe red flag laws infringe on their Second Amendment rights, advocates for gun safety argue that these measures can potentially prevent future tragedies. President Joe Biden has prioritized addressing gun violence during his presidency and enlisted Vice President Harris to lead efforts in this area, demonstrating their commitment to supporting affected communities across the country.
Statistics from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation reveal that the United States has the highest rate of firearm homicides among high-income countries with populations exceeding 10 million. President Biden has proposed measures such as a new assault weapons ban and mandatory background checks for all gun sales, though the passage of these initiatives remains challenging in the current political landscape.
Former President Donald Trump has expressed support for red flag laws in the past but has opposed broader gun control measures advocated by President Biden. The ongoing debate surrounding gun legislation underscores the importance of addressing gun violence to ensure the safety and well-being of communities across the nation.