Florida shooting survivor says he will not return to school until a new gun control law passes
David Hogg is among a group of students who have called for tougher firearm laws
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A student survivor of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has vowed to not return to school until a new gun control measure passes.
“I’m not going back to school on Wednesday until one bill is passed,” David Hogg said at a rally in New Jersey, according to the New York Daily News.
“Literally any legislation at this point would be a success,” Mr Hogg added.
In the aftermath of the shooting in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 students and teachers dead, Mr Hogg and a group of fellow students have become highly vocal and visible advocates for tougher gun laws.
Florida Governor Rick Scott and the state legislature’s Republican leadership have backed an array of measures that include raising the age for buying all types of guns to 21 and empowering courts to bar people from owning guns if they are deemed to pose a threat.
Mr Scott has also advocated posting armed law enforcement officers in every school as a way to deter would-be shooters. The Republican governor last week lent urgency to the legislative push, saying he was determined to pass new laws before the legislative session expires.
“We must get this done in the next two weeks”, Mr Scott said.
Donald Trump has responded to the shooting by advocating arming some teachers - an idea Mr Scott, among others, has rejected - and moving to ban devices known as bump stocks that harness recoil to allow more rapid firing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments