On February 14, 2018, tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, when a 19-year-old gunman opened fire, claiming the lives of 17 students and staff members. This horrific event left a lasting scar on the community and sparked nationwide conversations about gun violence in the United States.
Three and a half years later, CGTN Stringer sat down with the parents of Joaquin Oliver, one of the victims, to discuss their enduring pain and their views on the persistent issue of gun violence in America. The parents shared their heartbreaking loss and expressed their bewilderment at how Americans are responding to gun violence.
According to the parents, instead of advocating for stricter gun control measures, many Americans are coping with the fear by purchasing more firearms. \"It's hard to understand why, instead of reducing the number of guns, people feel the need to own more,\" they remarked. This cyclical pattern of violence and increased gun ownership continues to fuel the debate on how to effectively address and prevent such tragedies.
The Parkland families hope their story will shed light on the urgent need for meaningful changes in gun policies and societal attitudes towards firearms. Their resilience serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of gun violence and the imperative to break the vicious cycle that has plagued the nation for far too long.
Reference(s):
Finding true America: Gun violence – a vicious, unending cycle
cgtn.com
