Forever First Lady Michelle Obama says she is “in awe” of the student activists who are advocating for gun reform in the wake of the tragic school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead.
“I’m in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida. Like every movement for progress in our history, gun reform will take unyielding courage and endurance. But @barackobama and I believe in you, we’re proud of you, and we’re behind you every step of the way,” she tweeted on Wednesday.
I’m in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida. Like every movement for progress in our history, gun reform will take unyielding courage and endurance. But @barackobama and I believe in you, we’re proud of you, and we’re behind you every step of the way.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 22, 2018
Obama’s words are in response to the actions and heartfelt messages of young people all over the country who are speaking out about gun violence in schools. Some of the teens currently leading the charge for this effort are survivors of the high school shooting that left 17 people dead earlier this month in Parkland, FL.
The suspect in that rampage, Nikolas Cruz, used an assault weapon to injure and kill staff and students at his former high school. The tragedy has revived conversations about gun reform.
Former President Barack Obama issued a short statement on Twitter in the wake of the incident, calling for “common sense gun safety laws.”
We are grieving with Parkland. But we are not powerless. Caring for our kids is our first job. And until we can honestly say that we’re doing enough to keep them safe from harm, including long overdue, common-sense gun safety laws that most Americans want, then we have to change.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 15, 2018
This is in stark contrast to comments from current President Donald Trump who wants to arm teachers with concealed weapons.
I never said “give teachers guns” like was stated on Fake News @CNN & @NBC. What I said was to look at the possibility of giving “concealed guns to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience – only the best. 20% of teachers, a lot, would now be able to
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018
….immediately fire back if a savage sicko came to a school with bad intentions. Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards that do this. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A “gun free” school is a magnet for bad people. ATTACKS WOULD END!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018