Parkland shooting: One year later

The tragedy started a national push for tighter gun laws, but some are wondering if we're any safer now than we were a year ago.

News 12 Staff

Feb 14, 2019, 1:46 PM

Updated 1,908 days ago

Share:

Parkland shooting: One year later
Thursday marked one year since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
It’s a tragedy that started a national push for tighter gun laws, but some are wondering if we're any safer now than we were a year ago.
Dix Hills resident Linda Beigel Schulman thinks back to the day her only son was murdered.
Watch the video below for an extended interview with Linda Beigel Schulman.
Scott Beigel was a geography teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and died while protecting his students from a mass shooter.

A total of 17 people were killed on that tragic day, and since then, Linda and many others have turned their grief into action.

The shooting sparked a national movement. Protests and walkouts happened at schools on Long Island and across the country. In some cases, that action created political change.

New York state lawmakers recently passed a series of sweeping gun safety measures.

The measures included a so-called "Red Flag Bill," which allows family members, school officials, or law enforcement to identify potentially dangerous people and petition a judge to have their firearms taken away.

Red flag laws have been spreading quickly throughout the country. One year ago, they were only found in five states, but since the Parkland shooting the number has more than doubled.

The legislation would also prevent teachers from carrying firearms at schools.

Gun owner, Joseph Sabiam, a mechanic from Northport, says he's behind that idea and thinks stronger security is needed.

“Teachers are there to teach. They're not there to be armed guards. I'm all for armed guards in schools,” said Sabiam.
In the year since Parkland, dozens of new gun safety laws have been passed throughout the country.
 


More from News 12
0:22
Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

2:32
Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

Chance of showers today with a high near 67 degrees

2:04
Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

0:39
$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

2:01
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

0:19
Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

Loop Parkway to close overnight for the next two weeks for construction

1:05
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Forgotten Friends of Long Island on May 6

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:53
Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Long Island's Jewish communities pause and reflect on Holocaust Remembrance Day

2:14
Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

Teen accused of driving stolen car while high, causing fatal crash in Centereach

1:34
2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

2nd annual Long Island Jewish Film Festival celebrated at Cinema Arts Center in Huntington

0:23
Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

Suffolk police: Pedestrian struck, killed by car in Copiague

0:50
Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

Hundreds of athletes compete in Special Olympics New York Spring Games at Plainedge High School

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

0:24
Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

Police: Huntington Station man critically injured in Dix Hills hit-and-run

0:27
Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

Nassau police: 6 injured in shooting at Westbury home

0:45
Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

Fire breaks out at Plainview storage facility

1:50
‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

‘No one is helping.’ Freeport tenants say complaints about fire alarm are falling on deaf ears

0:53
Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

Prosecutors: Queens man stole used cooking oil from 16 restaurants

2:15
EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst

EXCLUSIVE: Gov. Hochul talks retail theft, bail reform during visit to Lindenhurst