What’s In a Name?

The students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas have been so impressive. We are so proud of how they, and thousands of students around the state and nation, have rallied to say #NeverAgain. They appear to have made their demands clear. First, they demand a ban of assault style weapons of war, like the AR15. Second, they do NOT want their teachers armed.

So far, the students’ main demands are being ignored by legislative leadership in Tallahassee. SB7026 was voted favorably in both the Senate Rules committee and Senate Appropriations. Amendments from the minority party to ban the sale of AR15s were voted down. Language to arm teachers via the Florida Sheriff’s Marshal Program were moved forward. Similar actions were taken in the House Appropriations Committee this morning:

“Students and parents of victims of the Feb. 14 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland that left 17 dead gave testimony, with many choking back sobs. They urged lawmakers to approve the assault weapons ban and remove the “marshal” program to arm teachers.”

Leadership has chosen to refer to both SB7026 and the House versions (PBC APC 18-06) as the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.” Without the weapons ban, while including a plan to arm teachers, we wonder how those students will feel about this name? Will they want these legislative bills, which fall far short of their demands, to bear their school’s name?

Naming these bills after such a tragic event and then blatantly ignoring the concerns of the Stoneman Douglas teachers, students and parents, while simultaneously using the school’s name to push legislation is, in the very least, insensitive and comes across as our legislators being either completely tone deaf or opportunists. Either way, this tragedy should not be used to push anyone’s agenda. These students deserve to have their concerns heard. They have lived through a horrific event that nobody should have to experience. They deserve a Legislature willing to have a serious discussion. We are not seeing that.