TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida Governor Rick Scott, spoke late Friday afternoon about his signing of a school safety and gun control bill.
The first measures of this kind passed in 20 years.
The bill was a result of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last month that left 17 people dead.
Parents of students who go to that high school, are sharing their concerns.
"I called on the legislator to give me a bill that will allow us to make our schools far safer allowing for much greater law enforcement presence," said Scott. "And for hardening our school buildings.
Three weeks ago, a high school turned into a scene of horror. 17 people were shot and killed and for the students who survived, it's been difficult to return.
Friday, we spoke with Elyse Claprood. She's the mother of 16-year-old Annabel, a sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The two were in Tallahassee last week to watch lawmakers work on a bill designed to make schools safer.
Annabel didn't go to school Friday. Elsye said it's because Annabel's classes were near the building where the shooting started and the memories of escaping death still haunt her.
The bill put before Governor Rick Scott's desk is one that Elyse supports in general, but she's against the idea of arming teachers.
"By putting the guns in the classroom, it's no longer safe. It puts their teachers at risk," said Claprood. "It's too much responsibility for the teacher to teach them to learn as well as be that guardian safe place and have a weapon in the room. The kids are terrified of the weapon."
Elyse said her prayer is for the governor to cross out funding for the Guardian Program that would allow school personnel to be armed.
Meanwhile, Annabel is considering transferring to a virtual school until the building where she witnessed tragedy is torn down.
