By: Dana Phillips

Busloads of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students headed to the Tallahassee state capital this past Tuesday. Less than a week after a school shooting killed 17 of their classmates and teachers; parents and students made the long trip from Parkland to Tallahassee state capitol. They all had the same agenda, meet with elected officials, voice the importance of gun control, mental health funding and effective policy for gun reform. 

On Tuesday, many Parkland students were onlookers in the crowd as Florida Legislators voted 36-71 to turn down a motion that would put a halt to the sales of assault weapons. This Wednesday, students still pushed on and showed up at the state capital to meet with legislators. Unfortunately, students were turned away by six different legislative offices. Senate President Joe Negron also turned the students down; saying his meetings are by appointment only. 

Students outside of the chambers help signs and chanted "Vote them out" in hopes of pressuring legislators to vote to ban guns, like the one that killed their classmates and teachers. 

Over 100 students from Stoneman Douglas high school traveled to Tallahassee to try and get face to face with the representation, for the betterment of gun control. Thousands of high school students rallied outside of the capital, while Parkland students tried to meet with legislators. Delaney Tarr, a 17-year-old senior, stated “We’ve been to too many rooms, we’ve spoken to only a few legislators and try as they might, the most we’ve gotten out of them is, ‘We’ll keep you in our thoughts. You’re so strong. You’re so powerful.’ We’ve heard enough of that. … That is not why we’re here today. We’re not here to be patted on the back.” During the weeks that follow this horrific shooting, Americans will see if any laws actually change. Only time can tell if the push for gun control will be effective in order to protect the lives of students and faculty.