HOLD THEIR FIRE
Trump open to tougher checks for gun buyers
Following the slaughter of 17 people at a Florida high school and an outcry for more gun control, the White House said yesterday that the president was open to legislation that would improve the federal background check system.
Family and friends of Alaina Petty, a 14-year-old student who was among the 17 killed in last week’s Florida high-school massacre, remembered her as a crusading volunteer with an “innate sense of right and wrong” who was defined by her spirit of “loyalty and duty” when she was laid to rest on Monday.
Alaina was a devoted Mormon and member of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS JROTC who dedicated her free time to volunteer with the Mormon Helping Hands — including doing cleanup in the state’s hardesthit regions following Hurricane Irma last fall.
“Honor, service, teamwork, loyalty and duty defined her to the core,” father Ryan Petty said, adding that his daughter had an “innate sense of right and wrong but she didn’t judge . . . She would have continued to serve if she lived.”
Members of the JROTC gave her a posthumous medal and donated an American flag that was draped over her coffin during the ceremony.
More than 1,500 people filled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Coral Springs for the memorial.
“We could not get through this without the love prayers and support everyone has showed,” Alaina’s father told the packed chapel.
Former Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS student Nikolas Cruz, 19, killed 17 and injured 15 when he opened fire at the school using an assault weapon last Wednesday. He has admitted to the killings and prosecutors may seek a death penalty.
Cruz purchased the gun legally despite a deeply disturbing history of violence and antisocial behavior — including fights with classmates, self-mutilation on social media, threats to his mother and killing animals.
Alaina’s friend Lauren Kuperman said she has known Cruz since middle school and is “angry” that he was allowed to buy such a powerful weapon.
“A random 19-year-old should never have a gun,” she said out- side the funeral on Monday.
Another friend said she finds comfort believing Alaina is looking down on her from heaven.
“She’s watching over us always,” said Hailey Brooklyn, Alaina’s partner in biology class.
Meanwhile, family gathered across town to bury 15-year-old victim Luke Hoyer, a happy-golucky sports fan with a serious passion for the Miami Heat.
HiHis ddadd TTom HHoyer’s’ voicei cracked as he apologized for reading the eulogy from a paper.
“Forgive me if I don’t look up. I don’t know if I can,” he said, according to The Miami Herald.
The father fought back tears as he lamented that Luke would never see another Heat game or shoot hoops with him.
“The nevers just kept piling up,” he said.