Since the horrific day that was February 14th, 2018, in Parkland, Florida, lives have been changed forever. Parents lost children, siblings lost siblings, and friends lost friends. The shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School understandably devastated the South Florida community, the state of Florida, and the United States as a whole. Immediately after the shooting, the tragedy became political. Students became political activists. The March for Our Lives organization was founded. The shooting spurred the likes of anti-gun students such as David Hogg and 2nd Amendment defenders such as Kyle Kashuv. The two former MSD students have 1.1 million and 316 thousand followers on Twitter, respectively. It felt as though both ideologies had selected the young champions to fight on their behalf against each other in a political arena.
It felt that way, at least. Perhaps it was just how it organically occurred.
However, legislation in response to the tragedy in the state of Florida has been adopted. After the shooting, then Governor and now Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) famously signed the bill which allowed for the heightening of security at schools but also raised the age to legally buy a rifle to 21 (it was 18).
The aforementioned Hogg put out a tweet Sunday related to the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
I understand there are many disagreements about what we should do but the important thing is we all agree we need to do something. In the week of Parkland we worked with our Republican Legislature and governor and got gun safety past Congress can do the same.
— David Hogg 🌻 (@davidhogg111) May 29, 2022
“I understand there are many disagreements about what we should do but the important thing is we all agree we need to do something. In the week of Parkland we worked with our Republican Legislature and governor and got gun safety past (sic) Congress can do the same,"stated Hogg.
Nonetheless, Ryan Petty, a parent of Parkland victim Alaina Petty, and now a member of the Florida Board of Education, stated fired back at Hogg's assertion that he somehow made the legislation happen.
This is absolute revisionist history and quite frankly, BS. You did nothing but make it more difficult for us to get the MSD bill passed in the Florida Legislature. It's time to sit down, you charlatan. https://t.co/ChzXmyxTAs
— Ryan Petty (@rpetty) May 30, 2022
“This is absolute revisionist history and quite frankly, BS. You did nothing but make it more difficult for us to get the MSD bill passed in the Florida Legislature. It’s time to sit down, you charlatan," tweeted Petty.
Javier Manjarres, publisher of The Floridian, also gave a response to Hogg, calling him an opportunistic "clown."
You're a clown who continues to exploit the tragic shooting at MSG. You played NO role in influencing the GOP-led legislature. While you were mugging every TV camera, it was the parents that led the charge and influence the legislation. Sit down, little boy.
— Javier Manjarres (@JavManjarres) May 30, 2022
“You’re a clown who continues to exploit the tragic shooting at MSG (MSD). You played NO role in influencing GOP-led legislature. While you were mugging every TV camera, it was the parents that led the charge and influence the legislation. Sit down, little boy," stated Manjarres.
Marc Caputo, a national political reporter for NBC News Digital confirmed what critics of Hogg have been claiming by mentioning this in a tweet as well, crediting Petty and Andrew Pollack for being the "most persuasive" figures in getting the Republican-led legislation to Gov. Scott's desk for signing.
“For two decades, I’ve covered Florida politics and the Legislature – including the MSD bill. I can confirm the GOP-led Legislature was most moved by the urging of the parents. The two conservatives, Ryan (Petty) and @AndrewPollackFL, were the most persuasive & played outsized roles,"tweeted Caputo.
For two decades, I’ve covered Florida politics and the Legislature —including the MSD bill
I can confirm the GOP-led Legislature was most moved by the urging of the parents
The two conservatives, Ryan & @AndrewPollackFL, were the most persuasive & played outsized roles https://t.co/nPWKOvfUE4
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) May 30, 2022
Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL) who represents the Parkland area, and has been one of the loudest supporters of gun control legislation, once again called for a solution to gun violence.
“Americans deserve real solutions to help stop the gun violence epidemic. And we cannot just move on from The Uvalde tragedy. Congress must act to save lives," stated Deutch.
