PARKLAND, Florida – Vice President Kamala Harris visited Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Saturday to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic 2018 mass shooting, where 17 people lost their lives. Harris emphasized the importance of states enacting stronger laws to remove firearms from high-risk individuals to prevent future tragedies.
During her visit, Harris met with 13 relatives of the victims at the high school, urging states without “red flag” laws – which allow courts to issue protection orders for individuals deemed at risk – to implement them. She also called on states with existing laws to utilize federal funds to support these measures.
Since the Parkland shooting, only six states have enacted red flag laws and are utilizing federal funding for crisis intervention programs. Interestingly, although Florida approved a red flag law following the 2018 shooting, the state has not utilized federal funding for this purpose.
The tragic events of Parkland were further brought to light as Harris walked through the halls of the building where the shooting occurred, which remains unchanged from the day of the incident. Bloodstains and bullet holes are still visible in the building, serving as a haunting reminder of the lives lost.
In response to the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States, President Joe Biden has made it a focal point of his 2024 reelection campaign. Harris has been tasked with leading the efforts to address this pressing issue, including the establishment of the National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center to work with states in implementing red flag laws.
Critics of red flag laws argue that these measures infringe upon the constitutional right to bear arms, while supporters point to evidence suggesting that these laws can prevent future tragedies. As the U.S. grapples with the highest level of firearm homicides among high-income countries, the debate over gun control measures continues to be a contentious issue in Congress.
President Biden has called for a new assault weapons ban and universal background checks for all gun sales, proposals that are likely to face challenges in a divided Congress. Despite previous support from some Republicans, including Donald Trump, for red flag laws, broader gun control measures remain a contentious topic in American politics.