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How the Parkland School Shooting Transformed Florida Politics How the Parkland School Shooting Transformed Florida Politics
(32 minutes later)
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — One horrific afternoon at a Parkland, Fla., high school changed the politics of this state.FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — One horrific afternoon at a Parkland, Fla., high school changed the politics of this state.
For 16 months, Florida has been grappling with issues raised by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. There have been official investigations into what occurred, legislative debates about how to reduce the chances of another attack, and on Tuesday, the dramatic charging of a school resource officer who retreated rather than run into the school.For 16 months, Florida has been grappling with issues raised by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. There have been official investigations into what occurred, legislative debates about how to reduce the chances of another attack, and on Tuesday, the dramatic charging of a school resource officer who retreated rather than run into the school.
“I can think of few things that have impacted Florida and captured the attention of the Legislature in the way that Parkland has,” said Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist who helped Parkland students and parents navigate the Legislature. “Parkland still very much has legs in the political discourse.”“I can think of few things that have impacted Florida and captured the attention of the Legislature in the way that Parkland has,” said Steve Schale, a Democratic strategist who helped Parkland students and parents navigate the Legislature. “Parkland still very much has legs in the political discourse.”
In the months after a shooting that left 17 dead, the issues of guns and school safety came up in elections across the state. Candidates detailed their positions on how they would help head off a similar rampage.In the months after a shooting that left 17 dead, the issues of guns and school safety came up in elections across the state. Candidates detailed their positions on how they would help head off a similar rampage.
Faced with Parkland’s grim distinction as one of the deadliest school shootings in American history, some Republicans shifted their positions and signed the state-level gun bill — without paying a political price.Faced with Parkland’s grim distinction as one of the deadliest school shootings in American history, some Republicans shifted their positions and signed the state-level gun bill — without paying a political price.
“Before Parkland, the idea that the Florida Legislature would pass legislation that contained gun control was unthinkable. And not one of the Republicans that signed the bill lost in their primary,” Mr. Schale said. “Not even Democrats were talking about gun control statewide 10 years ago. This changed the whole conversation.”“Before Parkland, the idea that the Florida Legislature would pass legislation that contained gun control was unthinkable. And not one of the Republicans that signed the bill lost in their primary,” Mr. Schale said. “Not even Democrats were talking about gun control statewide 10 years ago. This changed the whole conversation.”
Jared Moskowitz, a former state legislator who shepherded Florida’s most aggressive gun measures in years, said the Parkland shooting helped to shape contemporary politics.Jared Moskowitz, a former state legislator who shepherded Florida’s most aggressive gun measures in years, said the Parkland shooting helped to shape contemporary politics.
“Maybe we won’t be talking about it in 30 years, but for now, it’s woven into Florida’s fabric,” said Mr. Moskowitz, a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High. “Parkland forced elected officials to weigh in on school safety and gun reform. If you didn’t before, you do now because it’s the right thing to do.”“Maybe we won’t be talking about it in 30 years, but for now, it’s woven into Florida’s fabric,” said Mr. Moskowitz, a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High. “Parkland forced elected officials to weigh in on school safety and gun reform. If you didn’t before, you do now because it’s the right thing to do.”
The fallout of the shooting was immediate, both in Tallahassee and in Broward County. Days after the shooting, investigators focused on the action — or inaction — of Scot Peterson, the only armed guard on campus. A far-reaching gun control measure was adopted last year and a new measure to arm teachers was recently approved. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was elected in November, replaced the Broward County sheriff, Scott Israel, over his handling of the massacre.The fallout of the shooting was immediate, both in Tallahassee and in Broward County. Days after the shooting, investigators focused on the action — or inaction — of Scot Peterson, the only armed guard on campus. A far-reaching gun control measure was adopted last year and a new measure to arm teachers was recently approved. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was elected in November, replaced the Broward County sheriff, Scott Israel, over his handling of the massacre.
Much of Parkland’s lingering influence comes from the high-profile activism of the student survivors and the parents of the victims. They demanded accountability from their elected officials and made the case that there were a number of missed signs of the threat posed by the gunman, who was a former student. They also expressed rage at the missteps that were revealed about the official response.Much of Parkland’s lingering influence comes from the high-profile activism of the student survivors and the parents of the victims. They demanded accountability from their elected officials and made the case that there were a number of missed signs of the threat posed by the gunman, who was a former student. They also expressed rage at the missteps that were revealed about the official response.
The arrest of Mr. Peterson, 56, on seven counts of felony neglect of a child, as well as culpable negligence and perjury charges, was the most significant step yet to hold someone responsible for the mass shooting.The arrest of Mr. Peterson, 56, on seven counts of felony neglect of a child, as well as culpable negligence and perjury charges, was the most significant step yet to hold someone responsible for the mass shooting.
[Police officers are trained to confront suspects. But what if they are afraid?]
Mr. Peterson made his first court appearance on Wednesday. He appeared for a bond hearing in magistrates court in Fort Lauderdale via video link from the Broward County Jail.Mr. Peterson made his first court appearance on Wednesday. He appeared for a bond hearing in magistrates court in Fort Lauderdale via video link from the Broward County Jail.
Following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the former deputy, who was the only armed guard on campus but retreated to a position of safety during the attack, was found to have done “absolutely nothing to mitigate” the carnage, according to law enforcement officials.Following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the former deputy, who was the only armed guard on campus but retreated to a position of safety during the attack, was found to have done “absolutely nothing to mitigate” the carnage, according to law enforcement officials.
After Wednesday’s bail hearing, Mr. Peterson’s lawyer, Joseph DiRuzzo III, said he expected that his client would be able to post the $102,000 bond and be released.After Wednesday’s bail hearing, Mr. Peterson’s lawyer, Joseph DiRuzzo III, said he expected that his client would be able to post the $102,000 bond and be released.
“We are waiting for the case to be assigned to a circuit criminal judge. We intend to file a motion to reduce bond and a motion to modify the terms of pretrial release,” he told reporters, adding that he was “anticipating it shouldn’t take very long.”“We are waiting for the case to be assigned to a circuit criminal judge. We intend to file a motion to reduce bond and a motion to modify the terms of pretrial release,” he told reporters, adding that he was “anticipating it shouldn’t take very long.”
Parkland parents greeted the news of the arrest with weary relief.Parkland parents greeted the news of the arrest with weary relief.
“I think it’s a good step forward in our search for accountability,” said Ryan Petty, whose daughter, Alaina, was killed in the shooting.“I think it’s a good step forward in our search for accountability,” said Ryan Petty, whose daughter, Alaina, was killed in the shooting.