Top News Today

Town Hall Tackles National Gun Debate

- Student survivors in Florida confront lawmakers

Spread The Love

A week ago, they were ducking and dodging the rapid fire of bullets from the barrel of an automatic rifle.  On Wednesday, they were on national television leading a Town Hall meeting and confronting lawmakers to ditch the NRA and finally tackle gun reform.

Top News Today
During the CNN Town Hall event, survivors of last week’s brutal Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, took on the responsibility of ending America’s sick infatuation with firearms. The students-turned-gun-control advocates, their teachers, and their parents took direct aim at Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, as well as Rep. Ted Deutch, by pointedly asking if they would support banning certain assault-style rifles and if they would refuse to take money from the NRA.

Town Hall
Student Ryan Deitsch questions Sen. Marco Rubio

“We would like to know why do we have to be the ones to do this? Why do we have to speak out to the (state) Capitol? Why do we have to march on Washington, just to save innocent lives?” senior Ryan Deitsch boldly proposed to the congressional leaders.

Deitsch told Rubio he had been doing active shooter drills since he was in elementary school.  In fact, during 5th Grade, he once was forced to hide in a bathroom for 3 hours while his school was on lockdown due to reports of an active shooter.

“Now seven years later, I am in a closet with 19 other kids waiting, fearing for my own life,” he said. “Why do we have to be the ones to lead the change,” he demanded?

Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was killed during the Florida melee, took a moment to make an emotional plea to his senate representative.

“Sen. Rubio, I want to like you. Here’s the problem. … Your comments this week and those of our President have been pathetically weak,” he said to raucous applause and cheers. “Look at me and tell me guns were the factor in the hunting of our kids in the school this week.”

His rancor was mostly directed at Donald Trump, who oddly suggested earlier this week that teachers should be armed with guns and directed to engage in a shootout with anyone who threatens their classroom.  However, he soon found himself engaged in a war of words with Sen, Rubio, who said: “The problems we are facing here today cannot be solved by gun laws alone.”

Town Hall
Student Emma Gonzalez confronts NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch

Top News Today
For what it’s worth, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel was extremely supportive of the kids and their parents,  saying, “My generation, we did not get it done. You will get it done.”

Broward County school system superintendent Robert Runcie told the audience that instead of arming teachers with guns, they should be armed with more money.

He also applauded the students for awakening a sleeping nation and starting a national movement.

“These are the young people that are going to change the world for the better,” he said.  “And let me tell you, our students are ready for this moment. They have been preparing for this moment.”

.


OK WASSUP! discusses Top News Today:
CNN Town Hall tackles gun reform.

0 0 votes
Article Rating

DJ

DJ is the creator and editor of OK WASSUP! He is also a Guest Writer/Blogger, Professional and Motivational Speaker, Producer, Music Consultant, and Media Contributor. New York, New York USA

Related Articles

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
7 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Truthiz1

During the CNN Town Hall event, survivors of last week’s brutal Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, took on the responsibility of ending America’s sick infatuation with firearms. […] “America’s sick infatuation with firearms.” There it is in a nutshell, IMO. The root cause of the problem. As a society, WE have a very “sick infatuation” with all kinds of destructive nonsense in this country. We have a culture that shamelessly promotes Violence (and all manner of other toxic isht) in this country. Just look around you. Destructive crap can be found Everywhere. From Hollywood to New York city, New York. From Fairbanks, Alaska to the islands of Hawaii. But I digress. I watched a bit of CNN’s Town Hall event last night. Emotions ran high, understandably. And I give props to Senators Rubio and Nelson and Rep. Deutch for showing up and facing those kids (and that… Read more »

Truthiz1

A few days ago I read that Oprah Winfrey likens these young people (and their fight for greater gun control/gun safety in America) to the fight against Jim Crow’s racial segregation led by (mostly) young Black “Freedom Riders” during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. “These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we’ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard,” she wrote. Some (Black) folks have taken a bit of umbrage at that comparison. While I don’t totally agree with Oprah. I do agree with her in part. These young (like the Freedom Riders) have demonstrated great Courage. Great Courage. They’ve made a conscious decision to literally put their lives on the line in leading the fight for a cause they truly believe in. One should not dismiss the very real threats these kids may face as a result of taking… Read more »

Truthiz1

Oh!..and to the “Celebs” and others in the entertainment industry (movies, music, television, video-games) who are donating money “in support of the Florida students’ inspiring March For Gun Reform”:

How ’bout you folks start by cleaning up your OWN respective industries which peddle AND glorify endless Violence in all forms just to line your fat pockets with “Mo Money” Mo Money “Mo Money.”

Until you people do that, you’re nothing but cynical and shameless Hypocrites.

Truthiz1

“Backing Down to the Parkland Kids Won’t Save the GOP” Excerpts: As Senator Marco Rubio learned last night at a CNN forum with Parkland students and others, the only way to survive such evenings — after being pilloried and subjected to catcalls for refusing to ban assault weapons or stop taking contributions from the NRA — is to pledge to rethink measures one previously opposed, such as banning various gun magazines or raising the age for legally purchasing a weapon. But if he thinks doing so will get him or his party out of the crosshairs of a movement engaged in demagoguery aimed at shaming opponents, he’s kidding himself. That’s something other Republicans need to keep in mind as they prepare to dodge and weave in the face of activists who are interested not in debate about the efficacy of the measures they endorse but rather in issuing blanket demands… Read more »

Mr.BD

Dang it I’m late today but better late than never. I only got to see parts of the town hall last night but I saw some good parts. The main thing I’m noticing is these young people mean business. They are still young and might not have it all together yet on how to go about it but they ain’t playing, as my grandmother would say. Repubs should be real worried because this is the first generation in a long time that has even been interested in political issues. Not only are they interested but they know all the facts and they are willing to fight. If they are like this at this age trust me they are going to take that same attitude with them in adulthood and vote that way too. These are the future voters of America and they aren’t trying to hear no more excuses from… Read more »

Enricio

So instead of taking away the guns, Donald Trump wants to strap teachers with guns on their hips inside the classroom. Yeah, good idea Donald. What could go wrong when a teacher and a gunman engage in a shoot out with a bunch of fifth graders in the line of fire. #stupid #dumbdonald #nonra

Enricio

I just heard the Florida congress has solved the gun problem. Today they voted to put “In God we trust” signs in all their schools. Yep another brilliant idea that should solve everything.

Back to top button
7
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x