On February 14, 2018, a devastating event unfolded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student, opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, killing 17 individuals, including his former classmate, Joaquin Oliver. The horrific incident marked the deadliest high school shooting in United States history at that time, sparking a nationwide movement for gun control.
In the aftermath of the shooting, survivors such as Cameron Kasky, David Hogg, and Emma Gonzalez emerged as prominent activists. Their voices catalyzed the March for Our Lives movement, a massive demonstration demanding stricter gun laws to prevent future tragedies. In March 2018, this movement drew thousands to Washington, D.C., emphasizing the urgent need for legislative change.
Robert Spitzer, an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary School of Law, highlighted concerns about laxer enforcement by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) under President Trump. He also pointed to the reversal of restrictions on ghost guns and firearms sold at gun shows. Kristin Goss, a professor of public policy and political science at Duke University, suggested considering the broader impact of the Parkland shooting to understand its implications fully.
Manuel Oliver, father of Joaquin Oliver, chose to channel his grief into action. He founded Change the Ref, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about mass shootings and shaping public response.
“Some families choose not to keep the tragedy fresh. We choose the opposite," – Manuel Oliver
Under President Biden's administration, efforts to address gun violence intensified. The administration prompted the ATF to strictly enforce regulations for gun dealers and cracked down on "ghost guns." The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, passed in 2022, represented the first significant federal gun control legislation in nearly three decades. This act enhanced background checks for buyers under 21, clarified definitions for "federally licensed firearms dealers," and prohibited gun sales to convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships.
The rise in ghost guns has been alarming, with law enforcement recovering 19,344 ghost guns in 2021 compared to just 1,758 in 2016—a staggering increase of over 1,000%. These untraceable firearms posed significant challenges in combating gun violence across the nation.
“This didn’t just happen. This is a failure of our leaders. We don’t want your thoughts and prayers. We want you to do what you were voted into office to do, which is to enact legislation to protect people," – Robert Spitzer
The Parkland shooting undeniably spurred increased activism in gun control advocacy. Manuel Oliver remains a steadfast reminder of the importance of addressing gun violence.
“We had gone through all the stages of being an immigrant, and when you least expect it, the American dream turns into a nightmare, and there’s no going back from that," – Manuel Oliver
Emma Gonzalez, another survivor-turned-activist, expressed hope for change.
“We will be the last mass shooting,” – Emma Gonzalez
In response to the tragedy in Parkland, Florida's then-Governor Rick Scott, alongside a Republican-dominated legislature, enacted a Red Flag law—a measure allowing authorities to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed a threat.
“In the wake of the mass tragedy in Parkland, Florida, then-Gov. Rick Scott and a Republican-dominated legislature enacted a Red Flag law," – John Feinblatt
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