The bipartisan STOP School Violence Act, which passed the House of Representatives last week, intends to take immediate steps to improve school safety. The legislation mandates more training for local law enforcement and school personnel, better communication with schools, security enhancements, etc. It was endorsed by Parkland shooting survivor Kyle Kashuv, who met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill ahead of the vote.
Some of Kashuv's classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, however, believe the bill is a waste of time. It is "pathetic" and does not go far enough to address the real issue - the guns.
“We haven’t seen the change yet that we need. The STOP School Violence Act which they just passed, that doesn’t say the word ‘gun’ once. At the end of the day, what’s the one weapon that all these tragedies have in common?” -Parkland student @cameron_kasky pic.twitter.com/m62wmR3wD6
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 19, 2018
Gun control activists are joining Kasky's call to dismiss the bill.
I can’t stress this enough: The #StopSchoolViolenceAct does not address gun violence. The word “gun” is conspicuously absent. This is why the #NRA applauds the bill. We have to keep fighting for real gun control.#MarchForOurLives #Enough https://t.co/kN2cpbAqqr
— Timothy Kenison #NeverAgain #Resist #FBR (@TimothyKenison) March 15, 2018
With all of the backlash against the legislation, Kashuv felt compelled to point out an interesting fact. The majority of the families who lost a loved one in the Parkland shooting are supporting the legislation.
Guys, what about supporting a bill that 13 of the VICTIMS families have backed or would you prefer to just play partisan PR games? #STOPSchoolViolenceAct https://t.co/CKBWeAvRwR
— Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) March 20, 2018
The families penned a letter to the leaders of both parties urging they act on both the STOP School Violence bill and the Fix NICS ACT. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) shared their plea on Twitter.
Must read from #Parkland victims families-->
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) March 19, 2018
"At the Federal level the STOP School Violence Act is a first step in a long journey to improve the safety of our children and teachers at school." #STOPSchoolViolenceAct #utpol https://t.co/zEeeh9KVKP pic.twitter.com/pRvaAixbg1
The March for Our Lives rally scheduled for this Saturday in Washington, D.C. is being advertised as a nonpartisan gathering. Yet, Kashuv says the march was clearly organized by individuals with a gun control agenda, considering how their petition states that no one should have access to an AR-15.
"If you're not taking our guns, why does your website explicitly say "ban the sale of assault weapons," Kashuv wondered.
In a recent poll, we learned that most Americans believe school safety and mental health deserve more attention than gun control.
You can read more about the STOP School Violence Act here.