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Thousands of people support students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in a rally for gun control at the Florida capitol (2/21/18).The Florida legislature is poised to pass some of the most sweeping gun control and mental health reforms in more than 20 years. The moves come as lawmakers face pressure from students affected by the Valentine's Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.On Valentine's Day, a 19-year-old in Parkland opened fire on his former classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He killed 14 students, three adults, and injured 14 others. There were warning signs, yet, all, including a tip to the FBI, were missed.That day, school safety measures in place, like school resource officers, restricted access and fencing--all failed.In the wake of the shooting, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas have mobilized, calling on the legislature to take greater action to prevent school and mass shootings. Lawmakers, it seems, are finally listening.https://youtu.be/6PRPEfu7WPg

Parkland Parents Who Lost Kids Appointed To Commission Looking Into Mass School Shooting

Joe Raedle
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Getty Images North America

Florida’s new gun safety law includes the creation of a commission tasked with investigating the failings that led up to last month’s mass school shooting in Parkland. Governor Rick Scott and Florida legislative leaders made their appointments Tuesday.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission is made up of 15 people.

Governor Rick Scott’s appointees include a Sheriff, a school superintendent, and a police chief.

Scott also appointed Ryan Petty and Andrew Pollack to the commission. Both their daughters were two of the 17 people killed in the South Florida high school, and the fathers played a big role in getting the gun safety bill passed.

Like Scott, House Speaker Richard Corcoran also appointed a parent who lost a son in the shooting. His name is Max Schachter. Scott's other appointees include two sheriffs, a police chief, and an assistant state attorney.

And, Senate President Joe Negron’s appointees include a school board member, a law enforcement officer, a retired school resource officer, and a mental health clinician.

Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation), a former classroom teacher, was also appointed. She helped organize bringing the Parkland students to Tallahassee to talk to lawmakers about gun control.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.