In 2019, there were more school shootings than the number of days in a year. To wit, a total of 417 mass shootings have occurred according to the Gun Violence Archive. In order for a shooting to be considered a mass shooting, four people must be shot on school property. Ultimately, 29,568 people were injured and 15,381 people have died from these awful events last year. The infamous Parkland shooting that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida had its second anniversary on February 14. The 19-year-old used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 17 people and left 17 injured. Among other survivors in the school, several have become gun reform activists. Emma Gonzalez, Alex Wind and Sarah Chadwick are just some of the gun control advocates born from this tragedy. 

As a student at the New College of Florida, Gonzalez has been demanding stricter gun control since the shooting. Politicians and the NRA (National Rifle Association) have become a big target for Gonzalez as she has shed shame upon politicians who have received funding from the gun rights organization. Among them is President Donald Trump, who, according to Federal Election Commission data, allegedly received more than $30 million from the NRA for his campaign. 

“To all politicians taking donations from the NRA, shame on you,” Gonzalez said in her speech at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington D.C. on March 24, 2018. “No one could comprehend the devastating  aftermath or how far this would go…For those who still can’t comprehend because they refuse to, I’ll you where it went: right into the ground, six feet deep.”

Gonzalez also co-founded a gun-controlling supporting group called Never Again MSD. Thanks to the young activists’ continuing advocacy, public outcry, and efforts along with other pro-gun control supporters, the Florida Legislature passed a bill titled the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act in March 2018. In total, the bill would improve school security and safety while securing gun control and restrictions. To do this, the ban would raise the age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21. For gun restrictions, it would ban bump stocks, which is an attachable part to a rifle that causes it to fire rapidly. Altogether, the law apportions around $400 million for implementation. 

“To the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, you made your voices heard,” former Florida governor Rick Scott said while marking the bill into law on March 9, 2018. “You didn’t let up and you fought until there was change.” 

Alex Wind was a member of the MSD’s drama club before the shooting. Along with five others, he is a co-founder of the Never Again movement. After the shooting, Wind was among the first students to call out President Trump on his response to the shooting. 

After being apprised of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Trump tweeted out, “My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should feel unsafe in an American school.” 

“Make stricter gun control laws then,” Wind replied on the social media platform.

As a tribute to those who lost their lives at the shooting, Wind was invited to sing the national anthem at a Miami Heat game on February 24, 2018. Now, Wind is a freshman at Penn State taking part in a musical theater program. He keeps up with his college life and with his political activism. 

“Alex Wind and other students like him—who are committed to important causes through both word and deed—are precisely the kind of students we should want at Penn State,” Penn State Vice President of Student Affairs Damon Sims said in an interview with The Daily Collegian. 

As much school-shooting news as we hear from other states, Minnesota has also been threatened by these calamities. For instance, on October 24, 2019, the St. James Police Department arrested a 14-year-old behind threats on social media claiming to want to shoot up St. James High School, the same school the boy attends, and end the rampage with a suicide. After the arrest, charges were pressed and police continued to investigate. Extra patrols were dispatched around the area of the school the next day to comfort students and faculty. Ultimately, police have said there is no longer a threat at St. James High School. 

As these strong, brave reformers spread their message, school shooting prevention has been prioritized nationwide. Future efforts by local law enforcement, but arguably more importantly, advocacy for nationwide legislation and gun-control laws rely on young people like Gonzalez, Wind and Chadwick. For now, we will remember the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and honor their fight for a better world.