Classes have resumed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for the first time since 17 students and teachers were killed by an expelled classmate with an AR-15 rifle, thrusting pupils into the centre of America’s gun debate.
As well as about 50 uniformed police officers, grief counsellors are on campus in Parkland “to provide a lot of love, a lot of understanding” and help students ease back into their school routines, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said.
Seeing officers carrying military-style rifles had the opposite effect on some pupils. David Hogg, who has become a leading voice in the students’ movement to control assault weapons, said: “This is a picture of education in fear in this country. The NRA (National Rifle Association) wants more people just like this, with that exact firearm to scare more people and sell more guns.
A long line of cars circled the school and dozens of television trucks and vehicles were camped out nearby as pupils, parents and staff were ushered through a security cordon.
A banner “Welcome Back Eagles” sign covers the main entrance, and the walkway leading onto the campus is lined with flowers, photographs and other memorials to the those killed. Some of the students returned despite severe gun wounds, but even those who were not hit by bullets have spoken of emotional trauma.
Ms Dixon said: “I’m so glad that people are stepping forward and talking about keeping it relevant … because it shouldn’t happen to anyone ever again.”
Relatives of the Stoneman Douglas victims kept up the pressure in Florida’s capital with emotional testimony during a legislative hearing to discuss passing a bill that would, among other things, raise the age limit to buy long guns from 18 to 21.
The House Appropriations Committee’s 23-6 vote in favour of the bill followed more than four hours of emotional discussion with the parents of some of the 17 killed, and nearly two weeks of activism by students on social media and in televised debates.
Max Schachter, father of 14-year-old victim Alex Schachter, said the bill the House committee eventually approved does not go far enough – but could have saved his son.
“If we would have had these measures in place, I would not have had to bury my son next to his mother a week and a half ago. I’m pleading for your help. I’m willing to compromise. Are you?”
