Fort Lauderdale, Florida: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to embark on a mission to advocate for the reinforcement of laws aimed at curbing gun violence, particularly focusing on the implementation of “red flag” laws, during her visit to the site of the tragic Parkland shooting in Florida, where 17 lives were lost in 2018.
Harris will journey to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the scene of the devastating massacre, to meet with families of the victims and pay her respects, according to a White House official.
“Red flag” laws empower courts to issue “extreme risk protection orders,” enabling the removal of firearms from individuals deemed at risk of causing harm to themselves or others.
According to an official, six U.S. states have enacted such laws and are utilizing the $750 million allocated under the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to bolster crisis intervention programs.
During her visit, Harris will call upon the remaining 29 states without such legislation to enact similar measures, while also encouraging the 15 states with existing laws to make use of the federal funds at their disposal.
Despite Florida’s approval of a red flag law post the 2018 shooting, it has yet to tap into the available federal funding, as revealed by the official.
The perpetrator of the Parkland shooting, a former student aged 19 at the time, had a history of mental health issues. He subsequently pleaded guilty and received a life sentence.
The structure where the tragic event unfolded is slated for demolition this year. It has remained largely untouched since the 2018 incident, bearing grim reminders with bloodstains and bullet holes still visible.
While some argue that red flag laws encroach upon their constitutional right to bear arms, proponents of gun safety cite studies indicating their potential to prevent fatalities.
Gun violence has emerged as a pivotal issue for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, with Harris, a former prosecutor, tasked with spearheading efforts to address the crisis. Both leaders have embarked on nationwide journeys to engage with individuals impacted by mass shootings.
The United States ranks highest in firearm homicides among high-income countries with populations exceeding 10 million, as per the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Biden, a Democrat, is advocating for the reinstatement of an assault weapons ban and universal background checks for all gun transactions, although these proposals face considerable hurdles in a politically divided Congress. Republican candidate Donald Trump has previously expressed support for red flag laws but opposed broader measures favored by Biden.
