Florida Shooting Is About Guns, Students Demanding Change Say

PARKLAND, FL — Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida say it's time for change. After Wednesday's school shooting that left 17 people dead and injured 14 others, current and former students alike don't want the school to become just another statistic. They want elected officials to take action and enact gun control legislation.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump addressed the nation after the shooting, the 18th such shooting at a school in the country that resulted in injury or death in 2018, according to The Guardian. At one point, Trump spoke directly to America's children.

"I want you to know that you are never alone and you never will be," Trump said during a televised address Thursday. "You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you. If you need help, turn to a teacher, a family member, a local police officer, or a faith leader."

Trump said it wasn't enough to take actions "that make us feel like we are making a difference.

"We must actually make that difference," he said.

Trump said his administration is committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure the country's school and tackle the issue of mental health. The president did not mention gun control during his speech, an issue that students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School want to see addressed and they're being vocal about it.

Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said during a press conference Thursday that he had heard from students asking whether the shooting would result in gun control legislation.

Alex Wind, a junior at the school and lifelong resident of Parkland, said he crowded into a closet with about 60 other people when shots rang out. Wind, 17, said he woke up Thursday feeling sick to his stomach.

Wind said it was way too easy for the accused shooter, Nikolas Cruz, to get his hands on an assault rifle. He said he hopes politicians would take action.

"I think we are all coming together as a community and we are showing that we may be a small town but we have a big voice," Wind told Patch in a phone interview.

Wind also said he had a message for anyone reading who thinks change isn't necessary.

"I pray that they never have to experience what I experienced," he said, adding that he would not wish it upon his worst enemies.

Students at the school also took to Twitter to express their views on the topic.

"I was hiding in a closet for 2 hours," a student named Carly wrote on Twitter in response to a tweet from Tomi Lahren, who chastised liberals for bringing up the topic. "It was about guns. You weren't there, you don't know how it felt. Guns give these disgusting people the ability to kill other human beings. This IS about guns and this is about all the people who had their life abruptly ended because of guns."

A second student said he didn't want the school to become just another statistic.

"Don’t let Douglas fall as just another statistic keep fighting keep talking and demand change," a student named John wrote on Twitter.

Another student, Sofie Whitney, retweeted a number of posts on her personal account that were in support of gun control.

"It is so so so (expletive) scary that republican politicians genuinely believe that the gun laws don’t need to change," Whitney's latest tweet said.

A former student who spoke with Patch said he would be a single issue voter going forward.

"I'm not gonna vote for anyone who took money from the NRA ever," the 18-year-old former student, who chose not to be identified, said in a phone interview.

Now a freshman in college, the student said his sister was on the campus at the time of the shooting but is safe. He said one of his friend's sister was shot and injured, and another sister of a friend was killed.

The former student said he would like to see stronger background checks and questioned why the accused shooter was able to legally purchase a firearm when the FBI had received a tip about him.

"Parkland should be the last one," he said.

Photo: Attendees react at a prayer vigil for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School at the Parkland Baptist Church, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 in Parkland, Fla. Nikolas Cruz, a former student, was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder Thursday morning. Photo by Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press