Students react to increased security measures

After the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14, proposals about tighter security upgrades and armed school personnel were amid the talk about how schools can be protected. On Tuesday, The Florida House passed a bill that would raise the age to purchase firearms to 21 and implement a three-day waiting period for most gun purchases, as well as possibly arming certain school employees. Their next step is to forward it to Gov. Rick Scott in hopes that he will sign it into a law. This would affect schools all across Florida if passed, including West Shore.

“I think the bill is a small [step] but also a big step towards change,” junior Rita Dagher said. “Hopefully, if it’s passed, then more action can be taken and justified to prevent something like [Parkland] from happening again.”

Sophomore Emma Welman said she doesn’t expect the bill to have much impact.

“I don’t think the bill will change much if it is signed besides the fact that it may give certain teachers access to guns and even more security measures will be taken on [campus],” she said

Safety and security protocols have already been a standard for schools in Brevard County, with even more protocols set in place in light of multiple school shootings in the U.S. during the past five years. Most, if not all teachers now keep their doors locked and windows shut. Most gates and doors accessible from the outside of the school like the front library doors are also locked and secured during the school day, resulting in some inconveniences to students but an overall safer security system to protect the school.

“I dual-enroll, so I come in during the school day and have to buzz in to the front office, but I don’t mind,” Dagher said. “I understand that although they are seemingly unnecessary, they [security protocols] are just here to keep us safe.”

By Alana Mayott