Kamala Harris to visit with Parkland families during month-long battleground travel blitz

By Owen Girard

Published Mar. 22, 2024, 2:51 p.m. ET | Updated Mar. 22, 2024

Then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaking with attendees at the 2019 National Forum on Wages and Working People hosted by the Center for the American Progress Action Fund and the SEIU at the Enclave in Las Vegas, Nev., April 27, 2019. (Photo/Gage Skidmore, Flickr)

PARKLAND, Fla. – Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to visit with families of victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on Saturday in Parkland.

The Florida Democratic Party reported that the visit will mark more than 10 combined trips President Joe Biden and Harris have made to the state since they assumed office.

“This visit demonstrates their commitment to Florida as a battleground in 2024 and highlights the action Democrats are taking to address gun violence,” the party said in a statement.

“While Florida Republicans used this legislation session attempting to roll back Parkland-era gun reform, the Biden-Harris administration has shown leadership on gun violence prevention since day one, passing the first major bipartisan gun safety legislation in 30 years and creating the first Office of Gun Violence Prevention together with our own Congressman Maxwell Frost,” the party added.

The statement continued to argue for progress towards “sensible gun laws” and that the “only” way to ensure continued progress is by sending Biden and Harris back to the White House.

“We thank the Vice President Harris for continuing to show up for Floridians and look forward to her visit tomorrow,” the party closed.

Following the events of the Parkland school shooting in 2018, former Gov. Rick Scott signed the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, hoping to prevent future school shootings in the state by strengthening certain gun restrictions.

Due to the politicization of the shooting, public figures such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom have used the tragedy to attack Republican officials such as Gov. Ron DeSantis during the “Red Vs. Blue State” debate that took place in November 2023.

Andrew Pollack, the father of one of the students murdered during the shooting came to DeSantis’ defense following the remarks by Newsom.

“My daughter died in the Parkland mass shooting,” Pollack said. “Ron DeSantis was not even governor when it happened, but I’m sure as hell glad he became governor shortly after.”

Pollack stated DeSantis “fired the incompetent people responsible and didn’t demonize lawful gun owners.” He also referred to Newsom as “trash.”

Following the 2023 Legislative Session, DeSantis signed HB 543 into law. The bill strengthened Floridians’ 2nd Amendment rights by permitting concealed carry without a permit.