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Parkland School Shooting Brings Policy Changes Into Focus

  • Writer: Matt Gross
    Matt Gross
  • May 7, 2018
  • 2 min read

Nearly two months after the shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, questions still linger regarding school safety issues.

One of the leading issues being discussed by student-activists is the ease with which the shooter, Nickolas Cruz, had in entering the school. Stoneman Douglas does not have any metal detectors at their entrance ways, and allows easy access for visitors to get onto campus.

Craig Sommer, a local principal at West Boca high school located just 10 miles from Stoneman Douglas made comments when asked about school security changes saying, “My staff and I have talked about more people monitoring the gates, additional police on campus, and possibly ID badges for students to gain access into and out of the school.” For a period of time, Stoneman Douglas students were given clear, see-through, backpacks which made the materials they were holding clearly visible to others. This didn’t go to well with students from Stoneman Douglas. Students such as David Hogg, one of the “Never Again” movements most persistent activists, and many more took to twitter to complain about the “uselessness” of the clear backpacks.

Some students, such as Zach Gregg, who graduated from Stoneman Douglas and is currently here at Ithaca College, say that this goes beyond just policy changes. “We need much more of a culture change than we do policy change. Regardless of the law, if our culture doesn’t change, people will continue to simply walk into a school with a gun.”, Zach Gregg said about his thoughts on possible policy changes. The comment brings to attention Florida’s own gun laws and restrictions. Florida is one of five states to prohibit the open carry of handguns, however Florida is one of the five states where you are not required to prove good moral character or cause to buy a gun.

Whether it be access into schools, gun possession policies, or a potential culture change, questions upon questions still remain pertaining to the topic. The Never Again Movement continues to progress still two months after the shooting, with hope that change is imminent.

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I'm currently a sophomore Sports Media major at Ithaca College. Born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida I have experienced the sunshine and beaches of Jamaica, all the way to the snow caps and glaciers of Sweden. I would love to share with you the places I go, the things I experience, and the special characteristics each place possesses. 

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