FT. LAUDERDALE, Florida – Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit the site of the tragic 2018 Parkland school shooting on Saturday. Harris plans to advocate for stronger gun laws that enable the removal of firearms from individuals deemed high-risk, as she meets with families of the victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The visit comes as six U.S. states have already enacted “red flag” laws allowing for the issuance of extreme risk protection orders to prevent harm. These states are expected to utilize $750 million allocated under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to implement crisis intervention programs.
Harris will call on 29 states lacking such laws to establish them, while encouraging the 15 states with existing laws to utilize federal funding. Despite Florida’s approval of a red flag law post-Parkland, the state has yet to access federal funding for this purpose.
The Parkland shooter, a former student at the school, was 19 years old at the time of the attack and had a history of mental health issues. Advocates have raised concerns about potential violations of constitutional rights, while others argue that red flag laws have the potential to prevent further tragedies.
President Joe Biden has made gun violence a focal point of his 2024 reelection campaign and has delegated Vice President Harris to spearhead the effort. Both leaders have made it a priority to connect with individuals impacted by mass shootings across the nation.
The United States currently leads in firearm homicides among high-income countries with populations exceeding 10 million. Biden has proposed measures such as a new assault weapons ban and expanded background checks for all gun sales, although their passage through a divided Congress remains uncertain.
As discussions around gun control continue, Harris’ visit to Parkland serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on communities across the country. The demolishment of the building where the shooting occurred underscores the need for concrete legislative action to prevent future tragedies and prioritize public safety.