Parkland father grills Kamala Harris: ‘Stop using my daughter for your photo op!’
PARKLAND, Fla. – Ryan Petty, the father of a Parkland school shooting victim, accused Vice President Kamala Harris of politicizing the events of the tragedy in order to push for more gun regulations.
“Stop using my daughter for your photo op!” Petty exclaimed on social media in response to a picture Harris posted of her standing next to a memorial of those murdered during the tragedy at Marjorie Stonemason Douglas High School in 2018.
Petty serves on Florida’s State Board of Education and is a strong school safety advocate, following the loss of his daughter, Alaina.
Harris’ post included a caption to the picture where she argued for universal background checks, the implementation of Red Flag laws and an assault weapons ban.
The Florida Democratic Party expressed support for Harris’ visit and the gun control policy positions she advocates for.
“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 said in a statement.
Other Democratic figures such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom have used Parkland to attack Republican officials like Gov. Ron DeSantis during the “Red Vs. Blue State” debate that took place in November 2023.
Andrew Pollack, the father of another student who was 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 added that 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.
