TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Mitch Ceasar, former chairman, Broward County Democratic Party. Another mass shooting, this time in Texas. Two teachers and 19 students in an elementary school are dead. How many times must this happen? How many more must die? How often are kids now afraid to go to school? And yet nothing is done about the proliferation of guns. What are we doing? Republicans continue to block any meaningful gun safety measures. Our two Florida senators offer nothing to fix the problem but their thoughts and prayers. Keep your thoughts and prayers and do something for the kids. Shame, shame!

George Hanbury, president, Nova Southeastern University. As a father, grandfather and someone who is responsible for the health and safety of thousands of students, faculty and staff, I am tired of reading about senseless and preventable school shootings. My heart breaks for the families in Uvalde, Texas, as they are added to a list no one wants to be part of. From gun control to mental health support to bullying, there are many ways we can and must address this problem in earnest. Solutions exist, and we need to push our elected leaders to take action instead of just sharing their thoughts and prayers.

Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El. One of the commentators and scholars regarding the face of evil that we are all confronting noted that this horrendous gun-centered event no longer should be seen as a political event. Rather, it must be seen as a moral moment. Nonetheless, the obstructionists in Washington believe their jobs rely on their not taking any action. I am afraid our country is quickly failing its better ideals.

Nan Rich, member, Broward County Commission. Unimaginable heartbreak and tragedy occurred in Uvalde, Texas, for 21 families whose precious loved ones were murdered. Nineteen parents who dropped off their children at school will never see them alive again. Ten years after Sandy Hook, nothing has changed. What are we going to do about it? The answer is to vote out lawmakers who continue doing nothing to protect children’s lives. They must pass common-sense gun legislation supported by the majority of Americans requiring universal background checks and banning assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines! We need to hold every lawmaker accountable and stop this uniquely American carnage.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise. Weapons of war intentionally designed to inflict maximum body injury are used to kill our children, parents, teachers, neighbors, friends, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Lawmakers who demand that any single step to mitigate gun violence must prevent all violence are intellectually dishonest. Lap belts were added in cars to improve safety. Shoulder harnesses were later added. Then we improved crush design and added air bags. No single safety improvement prevents all deaths and injuries from car accidents but doing nothing would have been ignorant and inhumane. Stop the insanity. Take real and meaningful steps to help prevent gun deaths and injuries.

Laurie Sallarulo, CEO, Junior Achievement of South Florida. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. What might have been one conversation with our children earlier this month has turned into another. Events like the Texas school shooting can disrupt our children’s sense of order and safety. How do we talk to our children about these tragic events? Suggestions from mental health counselors include listening to their concerns and questions. Allow them to share their feelings and fears, validate their feelings and offer them reassurance. Keep the conversation age-appropriate and factual. If your child is young, keep them away from news reports. Stick to routines that provide comfort. How many more times will we need to have this conversation?

Richard Stark, former member, Florida House of Representatives. Shootings and more shootings. Will it ever stop? You can be a responsible gun owner and still support gun control. I know the American public will pay more attention to high gas prices and inflation rather than gun safety in this year’s election, and that is a disgrace. What have I done? I proposed an expanded red-flag law in the Legislature that should be agreeable to everyone, and the leadership punted. Thank G-d for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas bill that passed, but we still need more. Just a little more, and not “constitution carry.” Everyone, please, enough is enough!

Gregory Tony, Broward sheriff. America has been home to more than 200 mass shootings this year. At BSO, we’ve instituted numerous reforms, bolstered training and upgraded technology to help prevent incidents before they occur. In addition, we are enhancing patrol capacity in all our districts to ensure that our schools and other vulnerable public places have added protection. We must do more. I ask our elected officials to pass commonsense gun safety solutions so our loved ones can go to school, visit a mall, grocery store or house of worship free of fear. You can help: If you see something suspicious, say something.